Australian Cultivar Registration Authority

Description:
Photographer:

Description: Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light', Taken: 12 December 2018, [HERBARIUM SPECIMEN] Copyright : Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR) holds copyright
Photographer: Palmer, R.

Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'

File Number

545

ACRA Field Book Number

475

Registration Date

11/10/1993

Application Received

20/09/1990

Family

Lamiaceae

Cultivar Name

Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light'

Origin

The origin of Westringia 'Morning Light', a form of Westringia fruticosa, is obscure. The earliest record of this name held by the ACRA were plants seen in a Canberra nursery in November 1981. It is presumed that the name refers to the paler colour of the variegated foliage. The cultivar was never formally submitted for registration, but was freely available and hence described and registered by ACRA.

Characteristics

This cultivar grows to 1m tall by up to 1m wide. It is a relatively compact shrub. The leaves are variegated, and the variegation is fairly consistent, in the form of a narrow band around the margin of the leaf. The flowering is not as prolific as it is for the usual form of the species. Diagnosis: Westringia 'Morning Light' is easily distinguished because of the variegated foliage.

Cultivation

This cultivar has been available under a variety of names since it was first introduced, including W. fruticosa (variegated), W. fruticosa (variegated form) and Westringia 'Morning Light'. As for W. fruticosa, it is a most hardy plant that performs well in a variety of situations. It is useful as an accent plant in amongst other plants. The variegation appears to be very stable, with little to no reversion to normal foliage. It must be propagated by vegetative means to preserve the cultivar form.

Publication

Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M. (1988), Australian Native Plants: propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping Edn. 3: 379

Colour Coding

RHS Colour Chart 1966 Inner section of leaf: Yellow-Green Group 147B Outer edge of leaf: Yellow Group 4C.

Propagation

Cuttings from semi-firm new growth

Applicant Name

ACRA

Uses

As part of a mass planting or mixed in a shrubbery, or as a feature plant.

Availability

Specialist native plant nurseries

ANBG Accession Numbers

ACC545; ACRA470/475; CBG9007170/9009025.

NSL ID

-