Can westringias tolerate wet feet and root rot? The answer is usually ‘no,’ however there are two exceptional varieties that don’t play by the usual rules. Grey Box™ Westringia and Mundi™ Westringia are groundbreaking selections that can handle wet feet and even cope with Phytophthora, expanding the potential applications of this widely loved genus.
Keep reading to learn more about these high performers, as well as a couple of their variegated sports.
Grey Box™ Westringia
A Limited Tolerance in Most Westringias
The majority of Westringias flourish in sandy, free-draining soils, which makes them perfect for coastal or arid landscapes but unsuitable for areas with poor drainage. Waterlogging or heavy clay soils can lead to root rot and other health issues, particularly in low-lying sites prone to flooding. Phytophthora is notorious for attacking the roots of plants in such conditions, limiting the survivability of most Westringia varieties.
Wet landscapes severely limit the available plant palette for landscape architects and designers, especially in positions that also experience periodic drought. Thankfully, innovative breeding and selection at Ozbreed have identified two standout westringias capable of thriving where others would fail.
The Exceptions to the Rule: Westringias that Thrive in Wet
Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR Trade Name Grey Box™
- Description
Grey Box™ Westringia features a compact form that is ideal for structured designs. Its fine grey foliage offers striking colour contrast against other greens, and it produces white flowers intermittently from September to May. While typically left in its natural tidy ball shape, Grey Box™ Westringia also responds well to pruning and can be shaped into a neat low hedge. - Size
30 to 45cm high and wide unpruned, or 30cm high and wide when maintained as a compact hedge. (Has been reported larger, over 1m near reflective heat in full sun with high nutrients and irrigation, behind a low shade source that encouraged it to reach for sunlight) - Best Use
Grey Box™ Westringia is perfect for low hedges, borders, or mass plantings in areas with variable drainage. It works wonderfully in urban designs, wetlands, and bioswales, providing neat structure and visual appeal in conditions that would normally rule out westringias. - Care
Water regularly for 8-13 weeks until established. Minimal upkeep is required; prune 1-3 times a year for a formal hedge or leave it unpruned for its natural spherical shape. - https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/grey-box-westringia-is-a-drought-tolerant-native-box-hedge-plant-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR Trade Name Mundi™
- Description
Mundi™ Westringia is a low-growing, spreading ground cover with dense foliage and masses of white flowers. It thrives in tough environments, requiring little maintenance once established. Whether used for sprawling ground cover, erosion control, or low architectural shapes, Mundi™ Westringia is both functional and attractive. - Size
40-50cm high, spreading up to 1.5 metres wide. - Best Use
Mundi™ Westringia is ideal for large-scale mass/mixed plantings, erosion control along waterways, bioswales, nature strips and low-maintenance gardens. - Care
Simple to maintain, Mundi™ Westringia requires minimal watering and care after establishment. Prune 1-3 times a year for tidier shapes or leave it to grow naturally while retaining a clean, low-spreading form. - https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/mundi-westringia-is-a-tough-and-beautiful-ground-cover-shrub-with-masses-of-flowers-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
Westringia fruticosa ‘WES11’ PBR Trade Name Goldie Box™
- Description
Goldie Box™ Westringia takes centre stage with its vibrant golden variegation, interspersed with grey and green tones for a rich, layered aesthetic. White flowers bloom throughout spring and occasionally in autumn, adding delicate elegance to its striking foliage. As a sport of Grey Box™ Westringia, its adaptability and durability are exceptional. - Size
45cm high and wide, with potential for slightly larger growth in nutrient-rich moist soils. - Best Use
Perfect as a feature plant in rain gardens, along the driveway where the rainwater pools, or in modern native gardens requiring pops of golden foliage. It also shines as a stylish and hardy hedge in wet, dry, or challenging urban landscapes. - Care
Goldie Box™ Westringia is fairly low-maintenance, needing only annual pruning to retain a neat hedge or rounded form. For a looser aesthetic, it can be pruned less frequently, around every 3-5 years. It thrives in full sun to light shade and accommodates both heavy clays and sandy soils. - https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/goldie-box-westringia-fruticosa-stunning-golden-variegation-with-grey-and-green-tones/
Westringia fruticosa ‘WES09’ PBR Trade Name White Mundi™
- Description
White Mundi™ Westringia captivates with its stunning cream and grey-green foliage, offering visual contrast in any landscape. Its low, ground-covering habit and abundant white blooms in spring ensure year-round visual interest. - Size
40cm high and up to 1 metre wide. - Best Use
Ideal as a border plant along pathways, cascading over rocks in nature-inspired designs, or mixed into bioswales for variety. Thanks to its low-spreading habit and ease of maintenance, White Mundi™ Westringia fits seamlessly into projects requiring functional yet beautiful ground cover. - Care
Once established, it needs minimal watering, with light pruning once or twice a year to maintain visual appeal. It thrives in full sun to part shade, tolerating most soil types—from free-draining sands to heavier clays. - https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/white-mundi-westringia-tough-drought-tolerant-stunning-variegation/
Choosing the Right Westringia for Wet Sites
Grey Box™ and Mundi™ westringias are rare examples of this genus that thrive in conditions where flooding and Phytophthora are significant risks. For landscape architects and designers, these cultivars broaden the scope of plantings into areas traditionally unfavourable for this genus. Whether you’re designing a bioswale, restoring wetlands, or creating resilient roadside verges, these high-performing Westringias provide practical solutions paired with stunning aesthetic value.
