Westringia ‘Smokey’
Westringia ‘Smokey’ is a compact evergreen Australian native shrub valued for its soft grey-green foliage and naturally rounded form. It is widely used in hedging, borders, and mass planting where a clean, low-maintenance structure and subtle colour contrast are desired.
Its fine texture and muted tones make it ideal for modern, coastal, and native landscape designs.
Key Specifications
Botanical name: Westringia fruticosa ‘Smokey’
Common name: Smokey Coastal Rosemary
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Mature height: 1 to 1.5 metres
Mature width: 1 to 1.5 metres
Growth rate: Moderate
Time to maturity: Approximately 2 to 3 years
Growth Habit and Structure
Westringia ‘Smokey’ forms a dense, rounded shrub with a naturally compact habit.
Bushy and well-branched
Maintains a soft, uniform shape
Responds well to shaping for hedging
Its tidy structure makes it ideal for formal and informal planting.
Foliage and Appearance
The foliage is the defining feature of this variety.
Leaves are:
Narrow and fine-textured
Soft grey-green to silvery tones
Densely arranged along stems
The muted colour provides contrast against darker green plants and hardscape elements.
Growth and Establishment
Westringia ‘Smokey’ establishes reliably and develops into a dense shrub.
Early stage:
Focuses on root development and branching
1–2 years:
Forms a compact, bushy plant
2–3 years:
Reaches mature size with strong density
Its steady growth ensures consistent results in planting.
Light Requirements
Performs best in full sun to partial shade.
Full sun:
Enhances foliage colour and compact growth
Partial shade:
Maintains healthy foliage with slightly softer tones
Suitable for a wide range of positions.
Watering Requirements
Responds well to regular watering during establishment.
During establishment:
Water consistently to support root development
Once established:
Water occasionally depending on conditions
In warmer periods:
Additional watering supports healthy growth
Consistent early watering promotes strong establishment.
Soil Preferences
Performs best in well-drained soil.
Suitable for:
Sandy soils
Loam soils
Improved clay soils
Adapts well to a variety of soil types when drainage is adequate.
Pruning and Maintenance
Low-maintenance and easy to manage.
Light pruning maintains a compact, rounded shape
Responds well to trimming for hedging
Maintains a neat appearance with minimal effort
Ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
Fertilising
Benefits from occasional feeding.
Apply a slow-release fertiliser if required
Organic mulch can improve soil condition
Supports healthy growth and foliage density.
Flowering Features
Produces small, delicate flowers.
Flowers are:
White to pale mauve
Small and scattered among the foliage
Appear throughout the year in favourable conditions
The flowers add subtle seasonal interest.
Spacing Guide
For hedging or mass planting:
Plant 80 cm to 1 metre apart
Closer spacing creates a denser hedge
Wider spacing allows individual plant form
Landscaping Uses
Westringia ‘Smokey’ is ideal for:
Low hedging and borders
Mass planting
Coastal and native gardens
Modern landscape designs
Feature edging
Its soft colour and tidy form make it highly versatile.
Longevity and Performance
A reliable, long-lasting shrub that maintains structure and appearance over time.
Provides year-round foliage interest
Suitable for long-term landscape use
Maintains a dense, uniform habit
Summary
Westringia ‘Smokey’ is a compact evergreen shrub growing to approximately 1–1.5 metres tall and wide. It establishes within 2–3 years, forming a dense, rounded plant with fine grey-green foliage and small flowers.
Its soft colouring, low maintenance, and versatility make it an excellent choice for hedging, borders, and modern landscape designs.
