Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Medium shrubs
Indigenous | Easy Care | Medium shrubs
The wild rosemary is a soft, rounded, silver-grey shrub that gleams in the low winter light. From July through to October, it covers itself in clusters of tiny white flowers with dark purple centres, and after flowering the seeds are wrapped in fluffy white hairs that drift in the breeze, giving the bush its Afrikaans name, kapokbos.
The silver sheen on the leaves comes from fine hairs that trap moisture, which is how the plant survives extended dry spells. The foliage is aromatic, with a scent reminiscent of rosemary, and it has a long history of traditional use in cooking and herbal remedies. It is completely at home in the sandy, well-drained coastal conditions we have here, and it handles wind, salt air, exposure and even moderate frost.
About 1 to 1.5 m tall and wide.
Moderate.
Fynbos garden, rockery, dry bank, container, mixed border, aromatic garden. Beautiful planted en masse for its silver foliage and winter flowers.
Full sun. It needs open conditions and good air circulation.
Sandy, well-drained soil. Handles the alkaline coastal sand here well. Also copes with clay. Does not need rich soil.
Low to moderate. Drought-hardy once established. Water while settling in.
Minimal. It does not need rich feeding.
An occasional trim keeps it bushy and prevents it becoming sparse and woody. Prune lightly after flowering.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
