How to Grow Westringia 'Long Leaved'
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Westringia 'Long Leaved'
Westringia fruticosa 'Long Leaved'
shrubWestringia 'Long Leaved' is an ornamental evergreen shrub native to Australia, valued for its attractive elongated foliage and delicate lavender-blue flowers. This cultivar is particularly prized for its narrow, linear leaves that create a fine-textured appearance in gardens. It is drought-tolerant once established and works well as a hedging plant, screen, or specimen shrub in Mediterranean and coastal gardens.
When should you plant Westringia 'Long Leaved' in your zone?
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Example Westringia 'Long Leaved' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Westringia 'Long Leaved'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Westringia 'Long Leaved'
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; tolerates brief frosts to around 25°F (-4°C) when mature
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Get my Westringia 'Long Leaved' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 monthsYoung shrub with initial foliage growth and shallow root system; plant is relatively tender
Water regularly 2-3 times weekly; provide afternoon shade in hot climates; avoid fertilizer or use very dilute applications; mulch lightly around base (not touching stem)
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsSteady expansion of stems and long linear leaves; plant becoming bushier and more resilient
Gradually reduce watering frequency as roots deepen; begin light shaping pruning if desired; monitor for pests; no fertilizer needed on poor soils
Flowering
2-4 months (varies by climate; typically spring-summer, may extend year-round in mild zones)Small lavender-blue or occasionally white flowers appear along stems; blooms are tubular and attract pollinators
Maintain moderate water during peak bloom; deadheading extends flowering but is optional; avoid heavy pruning during flowering season
Maturation & Maintenance
Ongoing (plant is long-lived, 15+ years)Fully established, dense shrub with thick woody stems and extensive root system; highly drought-tolerant
Water only during extended droughts; light pruning annually to maintain shape and encourage dense branching; no fertilizer required; prune immediately after flowering to encourage next flush
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Inspect regularly; remove by hand or spray with horticultural oil; use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; improve air circulation
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Increase humidity and water spray; use miticide if severe; encourage natural predators; avoid over-fertilizing
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural parasitic wasps; remove heavily infested leaves
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Prevent through excellent drainage and avoiding overwatering; use well-draining potting mix; ensure soil dries between waterings; remove affected plants if severely infected
Uses
Ornamental hedging and screening
HouseholdWestringia 'Long Leaved' makes an excellent low-maintenance hedge or privacy screen, especially in Mediterranean and coastal gardens. Its fine-textured foliage and graceful form provide year-round visual interest and can withstand coastal winds and salt spray. [source]
Cut flowers and foliage arrangements
CraftThe long, elegant stems with narrow leaves and delicate flowers are prized for fresh and dried floral arrangements, adding texture and height to bouquets and display arrangements. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe tubular flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it valuable for supporting local pollinator populations and garden biodiversity. [source]
Drought-tolerant landscaping
HouseholdIdeal for water-wise gardens, xeriscaping, and regions with water restrictions. Once established, it requires minimal supplemental water and thrives in hot, dry conditions. [source]
Coastal and salt-tolerant gardens
HouseholdWestringia 'Long Leaved' tolerates coastal salt spray, making it an excellent choice for beachside properties and gardens exposed to salt-laden winds. [source]
Harvest Tips
Westringia 'Long Leaved' is primarily ornamental and not harvested for food or medicine. Cut sprigs of foliage for fresh floral arrangements or dried arrangements; cut in morning after dew dries. Pruning for shape can be done after flowering; stems root readily in water or moist sand for propagation.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Westringia is native to Australia and New Zealand, where it has been used traditionally by Indigenous peoples; the genus name honors the naturalist Johann Westin.
- 🌱 Unlike many Mediterranean shrubs, Westringia actually prefers coastal conditions and can thrive where salt spray would damage other plants.
- 🌱 'Long Leaved' cultivar is a selected form of the species Westringia fruticosa, chosen specifically for its distinctive elongated foliage, which gives it a more delicate appearance than the typical rounded-leaf form.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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