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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Lavender Blue |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Parentage: (W. fruticosa x W. eremicola) |
| Height: 6-8 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem' (Wynyabbie Coast Rosemary) - This hybrid between the coastal Westringia fruticosa and the inland growing Westringia eremicola is a fast growing upright dense-growing shrub that can reach 6-8 feet tall by 6 feet wide with slender gray-green (white beneath) 1 inch long leaves that radiate out from the dark stems in evenly spaced whorls. The clusters of attractive mauve-pink flowers are produced throughout the year. Plant in full sun to light shade. It is drought and seaside tolerant, and will take cold down to at least 25 degrees F and likely a bit lower. This plant has proven useful as a large specimen shrub or as a sheared hedge, though we have had reports that regular shearing may shorten the lifespan of this plant and 8 to 10 years may be all one can expect it to live with this treatment; with its interesting foliage and rapid growth this may still be acceptable to some. We received Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem' from the late Gary Hammer in 1991 and have been growing it at San Marcos Growers since 1992. It originated in cultivation at Wynyabbie Nursery in Jindalee, Queensland from where it gets its cultivar name. The name for the genus was given to it by Sir James Edward Smith, an English botanist and founder of the Linnaean Society in 1788 to name honor Dr. Johan Peter Westring (1753-1833), a botanist and physician to King Charles XIII of Sweden who was a student of Linnaeus. We also grow a new selection of Westringia called Westringia Blue Gem that is similar but denser and tolerates trimming better as well as a variegated selection of 'Wynyabbie Gem' called Westringia 'Wynyabbie Highlight'. We also grow the species Westringia fruticosa and several cultivars of this species including the variegated forms Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light' and Westringia fruticosa 'Smokey' and the low growing Westringia fruticosa Mundi.
This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'.
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