Garden notes

摘要

Grown for their flowers - and evergreen foliage, Westringia are shrubs in the family Lamiaceae. These plants are hardy in coastal and milder parts of the UK except in hard winters. Native to Australia, Westringia are also cultivated in New Zealand, California and other areas with a Mediterranean climate.Westringia are found in all the states of Australia as well as Norfolk Island but not in the Northern Territory. There are 33 recognised species which grow in a variety of habitats in dry coastal areas such asbeaches, cliff tops, heathland and in dry forests. Only a few species are grown in gardens. The genus is named after Johan Peter Westring, a student of Linnaeus and a botanist and physician. Westringia shrubs have linear to ovate leaves and purple or white flowers. Both the leaves and the flowers resemble those of the herb rosemary.