'Smokie' is an attractive hardy native shrub. It is tolerant of most frosts, extended dry periods, salt air, full sun or shade and grows in a wide range of soils. Feed with Osmocote Outdoor slow release in late spring. It has soft grey foliage with a silvery variegation. The flowers are born in the axils over most of the year. Like most Westringia, 'Smokie' makes an attractive hedge, screen plant or can be used for general topiary work. For an all native garden 'Smokie' looks good planted as a background to Correa 'Annie's Delight' and Correa 'Win's Wonder'. For a less formal garden interplant with Westringia 'Wandin Gem' and Grevillea 'Firebird'. For a non native garden Westringia 'Smokie' makes an excellent addition to the Mediterranean gardens interplanted with Salvia, Lavandula and Rosmarinus varieties.
The origins of Westringia 'Smokie' are a bit blurry, suffice to say that it has been around in the odd native nursery for many years and is referred to in some of the leading texts on Australian Plants. Rest assured that if you put this plant in your garden or in a tub on your patio you won't be disappointed.
