Maintenance Landscaping Design

Westringia blue gem is a small to medium sized shrub that is covered in small, blue-grey leaves. It has a dense growth habit and produces small, white flowers throughout the year. This plant is native to Australia and is drought and heat tolerant. It is an excellent choice for low maintenance gardens.

Also called

• Westringia blue gem
  
• Westringia
  
• Westringia plant
  
• Westringia pungens
  
• Westringia glabra

Things to Know

• Westringia blue gem is a type of flowering shrub.
  
• It is native to Australia.
  
• It has blue flowers.
  
• It is drought-tolerant.
  
• It prefers full sun to partial shade.
  
• It is low-maintenance.
  
• It is salt-tolerant.
  
• It attracts bees and butterflies.
  
• It can be pruned to shape.
  
• It can be propagated from seed or cuttings.

Related plant:
Westringia

How to Grow

1. For westringia blue gem, first step is to start off with a young plant that is about 6 inches tall.
   
2. Next, water the plant deeply but be sure not to saturate the soil.
   
3. After that, place the plant in an area that receives full sun for best growth.
   
4. Once the plant is established, fertilize it monthly using a general purpose fertilizer.
   
5. To keep westringia blue gem looking its best, prune it regularly to encourage new growth.
   
6. When watering, always check the soil first to see if it is dry before watering again.
   
7. If you live in an area with a lot of wind, you may need to stake the plant to keep it from toppling over.
   
8. Lastly, keep an eye out for pests and diseases and treat them accordingly.

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, westringia blue gem prefers well-drained soils, such as sandy soils, in full sun to partial sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions, including drought and salt spray.

About light

Like the other Westringia species, the Blue Gem variety requires full sun to partial sun in order to maintain its color and growth habit. It's a versatile plant that can be used as a landscape specimen or in mass plantings. It's also drought tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for the busy gardener.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of Westringia blue gem is one that is warm and not too hot. This plant does best in Partial Shade to Full Shade, so it is important to make sure that it does not receive too much direct sunlight. The average temperature for this plant should be around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need too much. Just a good general-purpose fertilizer in spring is all that's needed to keep westringia plants looking their best. Westringia can be a little fussy when it comes to watering. They like it on the dry side, so it's best to water them only when the soil is dry to the touch. If you keep the soil too wet, the roots will start to rot.

About light

Pruning is a vital part of keeping your westringia blue gem plant looking its best. While this plant is fairly low-maintenance, regular pruning will help to maintain its shape and promote new growth. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean shears to avoid damaging the plant. To encourage new growth, prune back the plant by one-third its overall size.

About Propagating

Propagation is best done by taking cuttings from new growth in spring or summer. Place the cutting in a pot filled with moistened, well-drained perlite or sand. Rooting hormone is not necessary. Keep the cutting in bright, indirect light and wait for new growth to appear, which is an indication that the cutting has rooted. Once roots have developed, transplant the cutting into a pot filled with moistened, well-drained potting mix. Water regularly and fertilize monthly with a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is in the spring and fall. The plant does best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a tough plant that is heat resistant and can tolerate long dry periods.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant include root and stem rot, whiteflies, and spider mites. To prevent these problems, make sure to plant your westringia blue gem in well-drained soil and to keep the area around the plant free of debris. If you notice any of these problems, treat them immediately with the appropriate pesticide or herbicide.

Basics of Growing

• Make sure to plant westringia blue gem in an area that gets plenty of sunlight.
  
• The plant prefers well-draining soil, so be sure to plant it in a location where the soil drains well.
  
• Water the plant regularly, but do not over-water as this can lead to root rot.
  
• Fertilize the plant every few weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth.
  
• Prune the plant regularly to encourage new growth and to keep it looking neat and tidy.
  
• Keep an eye out for pests or diseases and treat them accordingly.
  
• If you live in an area where winters are harsh, you may need to provide some protection for the plant, such as covering it with a burlap cloth.
  
• When the plant is blooming, cut some of the flowers to enjoy indoors.
  
• If you wish to propagate the plant, you can do so by

Related Plants

• Westringia glabra (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia whiteii (white westringia)
  
• Westringia fruticosa (coastal rosemary)
  
• Westringia lanceolata (coastal rosemary)
  
• Westringia rigida (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia scoparia (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia obtusifolia (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia brevifolia (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia monantha (coast rosemary)
  
• Westringia crassifolia (coast rosemary)

Source:
Westringia senifolia : School of BioSciences
Westringia fruticosa, Australian rosemary | Trees of Stanford
Global Enrichment & Mobility (GEM) Centre