Westringia
When it comes to choosing the best low-growing Westringia for your landscape, the decision really boils down to two exceptional varieties: Low Horizon™ Westringia and Mundi™ Westringia.
Both of these plants offer unique attributes that make them ideal for different uses and environments. This article aims to guide landscape designers, landscape architects, and home gardeners in selecting the most suitable variety for their needs.
Low Horizon™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES06’ PBR: The Compact Ornament
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/low-horizon-westringia-is-a-dense-and-ultra-compact-ground-cover-native-shrubs-ground-covers/
Low Horizon™ Westringia stands out as a dense, ultra-compact ground cover. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent choice for those looking to minimise gardening efforts while maximising aesthetic appeal.
Low Horizon™ Westringia in flower, a sight to behold.
Key Characteristics:
- Size and Shape:Low Horizon™ grows to a height of 30 cm and spreads to about 70 cm in width. Its compact form is ideal for tight spaces and borders.
- Ornamental Appeal:This variety is adorned with tons small white flowers, which not only add a touch of elegance but also enhance its ornamental value. It has shorter internodes, meaning it has a tidier, dense appearance. It’s lower-growing than Mundi™ Westringia. I would argue this is the most ornamental low-growing westringia ever bred.
- Maintenance:Occasional pruning can make this plant appear even tighter, adding to its charm. It’s possibly the lowest-maintenance westringia ever bred.
- Tolerances:It handles frost and cold well and is drought-tolerant. However, its tolerance to wet feet is still under testing, though I suspect it’s not as tough as Mundi™
Low Horizon™ Westringia responds extremely well to hedging, and requires pruning less often to keep it in shape.
Best For:
- Ornamental aesthetic appeal
- Low maintenance
- Border plants
- Gardens in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, ACT, and TAS
Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR: The Resilient Beauty
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/
While Mundi™ Westringia may not be as compact as Low Horizon™ Westringia, it offers its own set of strengths that make it highly valuable, especially in challenging environments.
Mundi™ Westringia is a bit larger with slightly less flowering – but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still bloom it’s head off! It’s not really fair to compare it to the most ornamental low-growing westringia ever bred, Low Horizon™ Westringia.
Key Characteristics:
- Size and Shape:Mundi™ reaches a height of 40-50 cm and spreads up to 1.5 metres. Its broader spread makes it ideal for larger areas that need coverage.
- Ornamental Appeal:This variety produces masses of white flowers, providing substantial ornamental value. While not as compact as Low Horizon™, Mundi™ is still highly decorative.
- Maintenance:Mundi™ also requires minimal pruning, making it an attractive option for those seeking low-maintenance solutions. You don’t need to prune it, but if you like the neat and tidy look, go for it.
- Tolerances:Mundi™ excels in tolerating everything that Low Horizon™ does, while also tolerating wet feet, phytophthora, and extremely poor soils. I only know of one other westringia that can tolerate extreme wet, Grey Box™ Westringia. Mundi™ can survive on natural rainfall in most populated areas along Australia’s east coast, making it a tough contender for challenging landscapes that lack both drainage and irrigation.
If you like your plants neat and tidy, Mundi™ Westringia responds well to hedge pruning. Though, it does need more frequent pruning than Low Horizon™ Westringia.
Best For:
- Tough roadsides
- Areas with poor soils or high moisture levels
- Gardens in QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, WA, and ACT (with some frost protection in ACT)
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Westringia
In summary, both Low Horizon™ and Mundi™ Westringia offer exceptional qualities that cater to different needs:
- Low Horizon™ Westringiais more compact, has a higher number of flowers, and is slightly more ornamental. It’s perfect for smaller, more controlled spaces and reasonably drained areas that require a dense, attractive ground cover.
- Mundi™ Westringiais not as compact but is still highly ornamental. Its real strength lies in its resilience, particularly its tolerance to wet feet, phytophthora, and extremely poor soils. This makes it an excellent choice for more challenging environments where other plants may struggle to thrive.
Ultimately, the choice between Low Horizon™ and Mundi™ Westringia will depend on your specific landscape requirements, environmental conditions, and aesthetic preferences. Both varieties promise to deliver beauty and resilience, making them valuable additions to any landscape design.