Westringia fruticosa Mundi

Westringia fruticosa Mundi comes from a shrub formerly named Westringia rosmariniformis, commonly known as Australian rosemary due to its resemblance to the emblematic shrub native to the Mediterranean scrublands. This discreetly elegant shrub belongs to the same Lamiaceae family, also has evergreen leaves in a needle-like shape, with a green-grey colour and a white underside, and produces small bilabiate flowers. But those of this 'Mundi' variety are white and they bloom from April to September. This soft shrub forms a well-spread and dense ground cover, to be reserved for coastal areas. But as it adapts very well to pot cultivation in cold regions, it will bring a touch of Mediterranean flair to the terrace throughout the summer season before being stored frost-free in winter.

Westringia fruticosa is native to eastern Australia and southern New South Wales. It is a plant that prefers well-drained and dry, rather acidic soil. This shrub has a rounded and slightly spreading habit, supported by stiff square-sectioned branches. Its growth is quite fast in moist soil. An adult specimen will reach an average of 1.2 m (4 ft) in all directions, but depending on the richness and freshness of the soil, it can reach 2 m (6 ft 6 in) or even more in a favourable climate.

The 'Mundi' variety differs from the type species by its very spreading habit, forming a perfect ground cover. This small shrub will not exceed 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in height with a spread of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). Its evergreen foliage in winter is composed of very narrow, linear leaves, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.6 to 1 in) in length. They are a bit stiff, but less leathery than rosemary leaves and arranged in whorls of 3 to 5. Their colour is a dark green with a slightly greyish hue on the top and white-felted on the underside. Flowering occurs from April to September: the white bilabiate flowers are solitary and appear at the axils of the leaves, at the terminal part of the branches. The diameter of the flower varies from 8 mm (0.3 in) to 15 mm (0.6 in) and the flowering stands out more for its duration than for its abundance. 'Mundi' appreciates full sun and, like other Westringias, it is not very hardy: down to -5 °C (23 °F) approximately, provided that the soil is well drained.

Australian Rosemary is elegant, tolerant of soil conditions, and resistant to drought. It can be associated with all kinds of shrubs from mild climates. It will thus make a perfect border for a plant bed, planted with "Mimosas" (Acacia) like the very pretty Acacia pravissima with its lemon-yellow flowers that precede those of 'Mundi'. Callistemons will also be part of the party, of course, with their stunning brush-like flowering in vibrant colours, as well as the beautiful Erythrina crista-gallii Compacta with its coral-red flowers.