← Plant Guides

How to Grow Westringia 'Jervis Gem'

Westringia 'Jervis Gem'

Westringia fruticosa 'Jervis Gem'

shrub

Westringia 'Jervis Gem' is a compact, ornamental Australian native shrub known for its silvery-green foliage and delicate pale pink to lavender flowers. This cultivar is an improvement over the species, offering denser growth, more abundant flowering, and greater cold hardiness. It is highly attractive to pollinators and extremely low-maintenance once established.

When should you plant Westringia 'Jervis Gem' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Westringia 'Jervis Gem' timeline →

Example Westringia 'Jervis Gem' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Westringia 'Jervis Gem'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Westringia 'Jervis Gem'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Westringia 'Jervis Gem' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but flowers more prolifically in full sun
💧
Water: Low water needs once established; drought tolerant. Water regularly during first growing season. Reduce watering in winter. Sensitive to overwatering; allow soil to dry between waterings.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Not applicable; ornamental shrub reaches mature size in 2-3 years
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury the crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Coarse sand or perlite for drainage Minimal organic matter

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 9-11; can survive zone 8 with winter protection in sheltered locations

9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Sign up free to see if Westringia 'Jervis Gem' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Westringia 'Jervis Gem' timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Establishment

3-6 months

Young transplant with minimal foliage; fragile root system developing

Water regularly but do not overwater. Provide shelter from harsh winds and intense heat. Avoid fertilizing in first months.

2

Vegetative Growth

6-18 months

Bushy growth with silver-green needle-like foliage; plant fills out and becomes more compact

Light pruning after flowering encourages dense branching. Reduce watering as plant establishes. No fertilizer needed if soil is adequate.

3

Flowering

3-6 months (spring through summer/autumn)

Abundant small pale pink to lavender tubular flowers appear along stems; highly attractive to bees and butterflies

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. This cultivar flowers prolifically from spring through summer and into autumn.

4

Maintenance & Maturity

Ongoing; plant is long-lived (10+ years)

Fully established shrub 2-3 feet tall and wide with dense foliage and regular flowering cycles

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and density. Water during extended droughts. Extremely pest and disease resistant.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Rosemary Santolina Salvia Grevillea Kangaroo paw Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring frequent watering Humidity-loving plants Heavy clay soil plants

Common Pests

  • Rare in this species; spray with water if infestation occurs. Ensure adequate air circulation.

  • Uncommon; remove by hand or treat with horticultural oil if present

  • Rare; not a significant pest for established plants. Yellow sticky traps for monitoring.

Uses

🌿

Ornamental Landscaping

Ornamental

An excellent choice for Mediterranean gardens, native plant gardens, and drought-tolerant landscapes. The silvery foliage and delicate flowers add textural interest and color to borders, containers, and accent plantings. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, especially during its extended flowering season. Provides valuable nectar and pollen sources in gardens designed for pollinator conservation. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Household

The delicate sprays of flowers and attractive silvery foliage make excellent additions to fresh or dried flower arrangements and floral designs. [source]

🍳

Culinary Herb (Limited Use)

Culinary

Some Westringia species are used in native Australian cuisine and have subtle herbal properties, though 'Jervis Gem' is primarily grown ornamentally rather than for culinary purposes. [source]

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental shrub grown for flowers and foliage, not harvest. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and maintain neat appearance. Prune after flowering to shape and rejuvenate the plant.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Westringia 'Jervis Gem' is an Australian native shrub that is exceptionally drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor, sandy soils where many other plants fail.
  • 🌱 The name 'Jervis Gem' refers to Jervis Bay in New South Wales, Australia, where the plant likely originated or was developed.
  • 🌱 This cultivar was bred to be superior to the species in cold hardiness, flowering abundance, and compact growth habit, making it more garden-friendly than the wild type.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Transplant
Shop Westringia 'Jervis Gem' plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Westringia 'Jervis Gem' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Westringia 'Jervis Gem' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Westringia 'Jervis Gem' timeline →