How to save my shrub turning brown?

[AarKay]

Hi All,

firstly please let me know if this is not the right place for such questions 

I have these shrubs in my front yard. I had a few questions

- what plant is this ?

- how do I save these plants. I’m not sure if they are turning brown and dying because of overwatering or under-watering. Also what’s the general advice for caring for this plant

- how to maintain this shrub as it grows bigger.. do you need to snip / prune them by hand and keep them in shape ? How to do this if the plant is too big but is not very dense

[EricL]

Hello @AarKay 

This shrub appears to be a type of Westringia, commonly known as Coastal Rosemary, which is a hardy native plant. It’s well-loved for its resilience, low maintenance, and ability to thrive in coastal and dry conditions. The browning on your plant could be due to several factors, including underwatering, overwatering, poor air circulation, or natural dieback of older wood. Westringia is quite drought-tolerant once established, so it doesn’t need frequent watering, and too much moisture can lead to root issues.

If your area has experienced heavy rainfall, overwatering could be the cause, whereas extended dry periods may require occasional deep watering to keep it healthy. Ensuring the soil is well-draining is also important, as these plants don’t do well in waterlogged conditions, so improving drainage with compost or coarse sand may help if the soil is compacted. They prefer full sun to part shade, and regular light pruning will encourage a denser, healthier plant while also preventing dieback. If you notice any dead or browning sections, trimming them off can stimulate fresh growth. 

To maintain the shrub’s shape, regular pruning with secateurs or hedge shears is recommended, cutting back around 10-30% at a time. If the plant has grown too large and become sparse, avoid drastic pruning, as it may struggle to regenerate from older wood. Instead, trim it gradually over time, focusing on one section at a time. For larger plants, an electric or manual hedge trimmer can be used to shape it neatly. 

I recommend using a low-phosphorus fertiliser designed for Australian native plants, as too much phosphorus can harm them. Bunnings carries options like Scotts Osmocote 1kg Native Controlled Release Fertiliser or PowerFeed Native Fertiliser, both of which promote healthy growth without overstimulating soft, weak shoots. If you prefer an organic approach, Seasol Seaweed Tonic is a great choice for root health and overall resilience. Apply fertiliser in early spring and late summer, following package directions, and always water it in well to help absorption. 

If browning persists, it’s worth checking for pests like spider mites or fungal issues, particularly if humidity levels have been high. With proper pruning, well-regulated watering, and some attention to its environment, your Westringia should recover and thrive.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when spreading fertilizer.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[mashthyme]

hi there @AarKay 

I'm a qualified horticulturalist and I hold a Master's degre in Environment. I went through a 3 year apprenticeship (in mature age) including trade school, plus university.

Unfortunately, however, I'm unable to identify the plants in your photos. The first two plants look like the same species, maybe natives. Likewise the third, it might be native to Australia somewhere also, maybe native to your local area or maybe somewhere else in Australia.

I cannot identify your plants from the photo. To me they are happy though, recovering from being cut back too hard. They may be lacking food as a result of loosing too much of their eating apparatus, their leaves, when cut back. The new growth, however, looks good. I'd give them a light application of something like RoosterBooster as natives can tolerate that fertiliser like non-native plants. Water in the food.

I'd also try to remove any dead branches, especially off the third shrub. It is habitat for insects and fungal & bacterial pests; some of the insects may be pest. Others, like spiders, may be beneficial insects. Just remember to wear gloves and that spiders are 1000% more scared of you than you of them. And they eat pest leaf eating insects (along with other carnivores).

The first two shrubs will bush out again (as will the third if you nip its tips). They look like plants that do not like to be cut back, but if you must cut them back, trim only very lightly. Trim leaving as many leaves as possible, don't cut into the older wood. And, if you do trim, trim very small amounts but do it often.

The plants are very established so I don't think their soil moisture was the issue. The remains of branches having been cut indicates they were cut back too hard.

Good luck. They are not dying, they have pulled through.

[EricL]

Hello @mashthyme 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with our members.  

Were keen to hear more about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance or would like to share a project with the community.

Eric