Double Wonder Coast Rosemary

Double Wonder Coast Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa 'Double Wonder') is a compact native hedging shrub that grows 0.5m to 1m tall and wide. Its fine grey-green leaves are soft to touch, and the semi-double flowers open a pale pink that is new to coast rosemary. It is one of the easiest low hedges for a dry garden.

Why you'll love it

• Pale pink semi-double flowers. You get a mix of larger-than-usual single and double flowers in soft pink, rather than the usual white or mauve.
• Soft, family friendly foliage. The fine leaves are gentle to touch, and westringia is not toxic to cats or dogs.
• Very low maintenance. It is naturally tough and tidy, and an occasional clip is all the shaping it needs.
• Drought and frost tolerant. Once established it copes with dry spells and frost, which suits a wide range of Australian gardens.
• Compact enough for pots. At a metre or less it fits small gardens, narrow borders and containers.

Where it works best

Low hedges for dry areas. Plant 60cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the plants meet into a continuous hedge up to 1m high within about two seasons, without crowding each other at the base.

Cottage and formal gardens. Let it grow naturally for a soft, billowing cottage border, or clip it to shape for a formal line. Either way it stays small enough to sit in front of taller shrubs.

Pots and containers. The compact habit suits a large pot in full sun. Use a free draining mix and expect to water a pot more often than a plant in the ground.

Growing Double Wonder Coast Rosemary in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, and it is frost tolerant once established. Full sun gives the densest growth and the most flowers.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter. On heavy clay, raise the bed or plant on a mound, because wet soil in winter is what usually kills westringia.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, which usually takes around 12 weeks. After that it manages on rainfall in most districts. If you feed, use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Clip occasionally for denser growth, or to shape the hedge. Cut only into leafy growth, because westringia reshoots poorly from bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Double Wonder as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the value choice for a long low hedge, and the 200mm pots give a fuller line sooner.

Our grower supplies the tube stock, and there are times when none is available. If the tube reads as sold out, press the notify button on this page and we will email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Westringia care guide for coast rosemary
• Browse the full westringia range
• Low hedge plants under 1 metre for front gardens
• More plants safe for cats and dogs

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a low hedge?

Plant 60cm apart in a single row. Because it spreads up to about 1m, that spacing lets the plants meet without crowding.

Can I cut it back hard if it gets leggy?

No. Westringia reshoots poorly from bare wood, so a hard cut into leafless stems can kill the plant. Clip lightly and often instead, always leaving green growth on the stem.

Is it safe around dogs and cats?

Yes. Westringia is not toxic to cats or dogs, and the soft leaves make Double Wonder a good choice for family gardens.