Eremophilas in the garden
Eremophila glabra ‘Rottnest Emu Bush"‘
Eremophilas can be marvellous plants in the garden, but their reliability in a variety of soils and climates is still being established by their many devoted growers. As so many eremophilas have been only recently collected from the wild and introduced into our gardens they are still a work in progress as garden plants. They have so many good points for garden design; many are small, compact plants which bloom over long periods and attract both birds and insects. They come with a variety of flower and foliage colour and form. Most of them react enthusiastically to pruning, even harsh pruning. They can be clipped into hedges or larger plants used as screens and windbreaks. Many eremophilas make successful groundcovers. Eremophila ‘Roseworthy’ groundcover plant and detail
Eremophila ‘Roseworthy’ bush and flowers
My garden history with eremophilas has been passionate but uncertain. When I first met a wide variety of eremohilas at Lang’s Nursery in Mildura in October 2010, I enthusiastically purchased ten plants new to me. Despite planting them in full sun in a mixture of native potting mix and sand, they all died in the Canberra rainy season of 2010-11. This was discouraging, but they were not the only group of plants which died during that rainy period.
Eremophila glabra ssp Arrowsmith (left) and Eremophila Kalbarri Gold (right)
On searching through my garden records, up to May 2020, I find that I have purchased 600 eremophilas of 220 different species, hybrids and cultivars in the last 17 years of which 35% have died or been removed for failure to thrive. I also notice (thankfully) that my success rate is improving over the years – either I am choosing more wisely, Canberra’s weather is milder, or I am growing eremophilas better, probably a mixture of all three. We now grow 125 different species and cultivars of eremophila, both in pots and in the ground, in August 2022.
Eremophila alternifolia
I had fixed in my head that I could not grow the silver or grey leaved eremophilas as well as the green leaved ones, but my statistics show that there is little difference between the two groups, 28% failures in green leaved varieties and 33% of deaths in silver or grey leaved varieties. According to my notes the majority of deaths, 53%, occurred during winter (my comment is usually ‘frosted off’). Equal low percentages of plants died in the rain and the heat, only 8% for each, and 20% were removed for failure to thrive or have outgrown their space. The others suffered various accidents and tribulations, such as ‘dug up by possum’, ‘stepped on’, ‘did not recover from being cut back’, ‘overwhelmed by other plants’, ‘blown out of the ground’, ‘unearthed by fox’, ‘whipper-snipped in error’ or ‘nibbled off by raven’, the usual litany of garden woes.
From the left: Eremophila maculata brevifolia hedge (Arid Lands BG) and flower and Eremophila maculata ‘Aurea’
Eremophilas bloom for a long time. This is one of their best characteristics. In 2016 in our garden 27 different varieties of eremophila flowered for more than half the year and two, Eremophila maculata brevifolia and Eremophila maculata ‘Aurea’ flowered every week of the year, even during Canberra’s winter. This is important for both birds and insects. ‘Approximately 75% of eremophilas are insect pollinated (entomophilous), with the remainder being bird pollinated (ornithophilous), or adapted for pollination by either.’ (Colin Jennings, Newsletter of the Australian Plants Society (South Australia), August 2001). Long periods of flower, particularly in the winter in Canberra and other cooler regions, can keep both insects and birds alive.
I have purchased eremophilas from more than twenty different sources over the years, as well as receiving many as gifts from propagating friends. Most have come from sources close to Canberra, Yarralumla native plants sale, Stocks Native Nursery, Heritage Nursery and Australian Native Plants Society Canberra sale, ANPS Market Day, Cool Country Natives, but some from South Australian Plants Society sale, and nurseries such as Belair, Port Augusta, Maffra, Kuranga, Goldfields and Sunvalley.
Some of my favourite plants are:
Eremophila alternifolia (photos above) for its deep pink bloom and long flowering period
Eremophila alternifolia x Myoporum platycarpum (photos above) for its delicate pink flowers
Eremophila glabra ‘Belalla Gold’ (photos above) for its bright yellow flowers over a long period
Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Blue’ (photos above) has performed admirably in our garden conditions. We first planted one, (with some trepidation as it is silver leaved and related to E. nivea), in August 2015 and this plant has grown to 1m high and wide with silver grey leaves and blue flowers over a very long period. Much encouraged we have planted eight more from 2017-20 and look forward to them performing well. This plant is a hybrid of E. nivea and was developed in a garden in Natya in northern Victoria. We have tried repeatedly to grow Eremophila nivea and its grafted cultivar ‘Gubburra Bells’ in our garden without success.
We planted two Eremophila brevifolia (photo above left) in 2017 and these have grown to 1m x 1m with white flowers over a long period. The foliage consists of small, sticky, bright green leaves. These plant have a ‘certain bony charm’ as Christopher Lloyd said ot Verbena bonariensis.
We planted Eremophila calorhabdos x denticulata (photo above right)in a pot in December 2013 and into the ground in March 2014. This plant grew to 1m x 1m with deep pink flowers in abundance. Ben tried making cuttings of this plant but despite growing well, and even flowering in the pots, they all died in the garden. By October 2018 Ben had another 8 cuttings ready to go into the garden. These plants have thrived amazingly well and grown to 1.5m high and wide, threatening to take over the area in which they are planted. We cannot see any difference in the conditions where the first cuttings were planted and failed and the second crop which has thrived.
We planted Eremophila christophori, (photo above) white flowered form, in September 2017 and this plant has grown to 1.5m high and 1m wide and is expected to grow to 2.5m high and wide. The foliage is light green and the flowers last for months. We have now planted a blue flowered form in August 2019 and are on the hunt for the pink-flowered form of this useful plant.
The Meringur hybrid eremophilas bred by Ray Schilling have proved a great success in our garden. We love the linear foliage and the constant flowers of these plants and throughly recommend trying them in your garden.
We planted Eremophila bignoniflora x alternifolia ‘Isaac’ in March 2015, 3-4m, developed from cuttings collected from Ray Schilling’s plants.. This very floriferous plant blooms for months.
We planted two Eremophila alternifolia x bignoniiflora ‘Meringur Crimson’ (photos above) in spring 2018. These plants form a shrub 3m high x 2m wide with long, thin hanging foliage and pinkish flowers over a long period. Both these plants have grown and performed well but the flowers are definitely not crimson. We also received two ‘Meringur Crimson’ plants from a friend who guaranteed that these have crimson blooms and planted them in February 2019. By March 2020 one of these plants had bloomed with flowers of a bright vibrant crimson. So which plant is the correct ‘Meringur Crimson’? As Ian Tranter has pointed out, the crimson form is very like E. ‘Passionate Lady’, but does differ in some respects, (Eremophila Study Group Newsletter 119 February 2018, p. 15).
We planted Eremophila bignoniiflora x alternifolia ‘Meringur Isaac’ (photo above left) first in March 2015, another plant developed by Ray Schilling. This plant has grown to 1m x 1.5m across with linear foliage and pink flowers over a long period.
We planted two Eremophila bignoniiflora x pururascens ‘Meringur Ray’ in March 2020 and have already seen bright cerise flowers. This plant should form an upright dense shrub to 3-4m high x 2-3m wide, although probably smaller than that in Canberra.
We planted Eremophila bignoniiflora x viscida ‘Meringur Midnight’ (photo above right) first in November 2015. This plant grows to 4m high and 2m wide and is already 3m high in our garden. This plant has long narrow green leaves and bright mauve flowers, which we saw first in November 2016. Our original plant was stripped of all its leaves by the severe hailstorm in January 20, 2020 in Canberra, but has releafed and looks well. We planted two more in 2016 and 2018 which are also growing well.
We planted Eremophila bignoniifolia x polyclada, or ‘Big Poly’, (photo above first left) in April 2008 and after a rocky start this plant has grown to 3m high and wide in our garden. This plant has dark green strappy leaves with white flowers with lilac spotted throats in profusion. This plant responds well to pruning.
Eremophila biserrata (photo second from left), a groundcover with perky orange flowers
Eremophila calorhabdos (photo third from left) for its upright form and bright pink flowers
Eremophila dempsteri (photo far right) for its dense flowering habit
Another wonderful groundcover is Eremophila glabra ‘Fruit Salad’ (photo above left) which we first planted in a group of six in 2015. This plant is prostrate and can spread to 1.5m wide with bright green leaves and perky orange and yellow flowers over a long period. This plant grows so vigorously for us that we are constantly clipping it back into shape.
Eremophila glabra ‘Roseworthy’ (photo above right) for its flat habit, dense flowering and even spread of foliage
Eremophila longifolia (photo above left) for its dusty pink flowers contrasting beautifully with the grey-green leaves. The fruit of Eremophila longifolia are eaten by emus, useful knowledge if you happen to have emus in your garden. We first planted Eremophila longifolia in October 2011 and have since planted 6 more, mostly from cuttings. This plant grows to 2-4m high and up to 3m wide with weeping linear grey foliage and many dusty pink tubular flowers. This plant does sucker, but often in useful spots, so we encourage it to spread
Eremophila densifolia (photo above right)is a small mounding shrub to 0.5m high and 1-3m wide with narrow crowded leaves and tubular purple flowers. We planted one in November 2010, but it died in January 2012. The second one we planted in October 2011 has grown exceptionally well and Ben has made cuttings on several occasions. These plants thrive under and around other shrubs and trees where they serve as attractive fillers.
Eremophila ‘Fairy Floss’ (photo above left) orange buds, pink flowers, and never stops blooming
We planted three Eremophila glabra ‘Hello Cocky’ in March 2015 and these have formed a low compact shrub, 0.5m high and up to 1.5m wide, with silver foliage and yellow flowers. These plants were so successful in our garden that we planted three of them in the Terra Australis garden at the National Arboretum where they are forming satisfactory mounds of silver foliage.
Eremophila glabra ‘Rottnest Emu Bush’ (photo above middle) in a group of three, planted in October 2015, have grown larger than advertised in our garden to 1.5m high and wide. They did blow over in the wind and needed staking two years later, but since then have bloomed with dark red flowers over many months.
Eremophila glabra ‘Steep Point Green’ (photo above right) with even brighter red flowers
Eremophila glabra subsp. albicans (orange) (photo above left) This plant forms a dense bush which flowers constantly.
What a great plant Eremophila hygrophana (photo above right) is. Even though we lost our original plant after five years we were emboldended to plant another in February 2019 and this plant is flowering well with a really beautiful large purple flower which contasts well with the greyish leaves.
Eremophila mackinlayii subsp. spathulata (photo above left) forms a compact shrub 1.5m high and wide with grey-green leaves and large purple flowers. The shape of the shrub is very pleasing and the flowers are eye-catching.
Eremophila maculata apricot form obtained from Port Augusta Nursery and our best performing plant, one that we have propagated many times
Eremophila maculata ‘Aurea’ (photo above middle) and Eremophila maculata brevifolia (photo above right) for their all year round performance
We planted seven Eremophila maculata ‘Compact Lemon’ (photo above left) from 2014-16. This plant is 1m high and wide with many tubular lemon flowers. We liked this plant so much we used three of them at the Terra Australis Garden at the National Arboretum in Canberra, but these plants faced the horror summer of ‘19/’20 and are struggling.
One of our most successful eremophila plantings is a group of 8 ‘Mallee Lipstick’, a cross between E. glabra and E. maculata (photo above right) which we planted in 2014-5. These plants form a shrub 1m high and 1.5m wide with grey green leaves and bright pink flowers over many months.
We planted Eremophila oldfieldii ‘Honeyeater Cheer’ (photo above right), grafted, in November 2011 and have been rewarded with a shrub 2m high and wide which blooms with a dark orange flower much beloved by Eastern Spinebills. We have planted another 5 Eremophila oldfieldii in recent years and eagerly await their growth and flowering.
Eremophila oppositifolia ‘Hardy Harry’ (photo above middle) with lovely grey foliage and pinkish-white flowers over a long period
Eremophila racemosa (photo above right) with orange buds and pink flowers
Eremophilas make useful hedges. In the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden near Port Augusta there are some small display gardens which feature eremophila hedges. Both the blue flowering, grey leaved Eremophila hygrophana (photo above right) and red flowered, green leaved Eremophila maculata brevifolia (photo above left and middle) were clipped very successfully into low hedges and were mobbed by feasting honeyeaters. They can also be used as larger screening plants to boost the bird and insect life in your garden.
Eremophilas are useful plants in garden design. Eremophilas, like most garden plants, appreciate judicious watering, pruning and fertilising to encourage them to put on their best display in the garden. They grow in a wide variety of habitats and conditions and can be used in many ways in the garden, hedges, groundcovers, screens and shrubs. They will attract both insects and birds to your garden. Try some eremophilas in your garden design – they are surprisingly adaptable to a variety of garden conditions.
Row of Eremophila calorhabdos plants in Juriootpa, South Australia (photos above)
Eremophila abietina – grafted – Spotted Desert Bush
We planted this stiff, sticky shrub, 2m x 2m, with narrow green leaves and large purple flowers., followed by showy metallic sepals which remain on the bush after the flowers have fallen off, in November 2017. This plant is native to central WA and tolerates only light frost so must be protected in Canberra. Died over winter 2022.
Eremophila alternifolia – Pink Emu Bush (photo below left)
We planted two of these rounded shrubs, 1-2 m high, with pink flowers with darker spots in March 2004. This plant grows as scattered bushes or small groups in shallow skeletal soils on hills and ranges, restricted to the Barrier Range – NSW, WA and SA. Our original two bushes grew quite large, more like 3m high and 2m wide, and we had to cut them back to reclaim our path in November 2007. These plants flower all the time and the spinebills love them, but we removed these overlarge bushes December 2010 and hated to do it. We have planted another specimen in August 2013, but it has not grown nearly as well as the original two and was removed in June 2023.
Eremophila alternifolia x bignoniflora ‘Meringur Crimson’ (photo above right)
We have planted four of these shrubs, 3m high x 2m wide, with long thin pendulous foliage and pink or crimson flowers, in 2018-19. Two were purchased from the nursery and did not have crimson flowers, but pink. The other two were cuttings from a friend and do have vibrant crimson flowers. Both forms are worthwhile to grow in the garden. I think that the nursery version is more likely ‘Meringur Pink’.
Eremophila alternifolia x bignoniflora ‘Meringur Pink’
See above.
Eremophila alternifolia x Myoporum platycarpum ‘Whyalla Magic’
We planted two of these open plants, 2.5m high x 2m wide, with narrow leaves and scattered delicate pink flowers in April 2009 and October 2013. The first plant succumbed to frost in August 2009, but the other one has grown well and flowers prolifically.
Eremophila arbuscula (photos above)
The name means small tree. We planted this tree, to 11m high x 5m wide, with narrow silver-grey drooping leaves and sweetly scented, creamy yellow flowers with yellow or orange spots, in March 2014. This tree is native to southern Queensland where it grows on stony or loamy soils in full sun.. A magnificent plant with gnarled appearance even at an early age. Our tree is now 1.5m high and flowers reliably every year.
Eremophila barbata - Blue Range Emu Bush
We planted this spreading shrub, 0.3m high and 1-3m wide, with dull grey-green leaves with serrations, and tiny flowers that are blue to mauve, in September 2009, December 2013 and May 2016. First one died over winter 2010 and the second one in November 2015., but the third persists in some shade under a cypress tree (no longer, died . This plant is endemic to a small area of the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, and is very rare, distinguished by a prominent "beard" on the lower lobe of its lilac-coloured flowers. Died March 2024.
Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Blue’ (photos below)
We have planted nine of this hybrid, E. nivea x E. species from the garden, Natya, in northwest Victoria, from 2015-2020. This compact shrub, 1.5m high and 2m wide, has silver grey leaves, mauve-blue tubular flowers, and flowers later and longer than E. nivea. Our best plant was crushed by the fall of a limb from E. sideroxylon in December 2020.
Eremophila bignoniiflora
We have planted two of these spreading weeping small trees, 5m high and wide, with long, narrow, strappy green leaves and cream or pale pink flowers, in 2010 and 2019. The first one died in 2011, but the second is thriving. This plant is native to Queensland, NT, NSW, WA, Victoria in drier areas.
Eremophila bignoniiflora x polyclada – ‘Big Poly’ (photo below left)
We planted two of these shrubs, 2-5m high and 2-4m wide. with long, narrow, dark green leaves and masses of large, lilac tubular flowers with spotted throats, in April 2008 and February 2020. This plant is a natural hybrid in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Cut this plant in half in 2021 - regenerating well 2024.
Eremophila bignoniiflora x polyclada ‘Meringur Isaac’ (photos above right two)
We planted Eremophila bignoniflora x polyclada ‘Meringur Isaac’ in March 2015, 3-4m high, developed from cuttings collected from Ray Schilling’s plants., Mildura, Victoria. This very floriferous plant, with thin linear green leaves and dark purple tubular flowers with spotted throats, blooms for months.
Eremophila bignoniiflora x purpurescens ‘Meringur Ray’
We have planted two of these upright, dense shrubs, 3-4m high x 2-3m wide, with bright cerise flowers in March 2020. This hardy plant is tolerant of clay, some shade. most frosts and lime. This plant is a garden seed hybrid from Ray Schilling’s garden in Mildura, Victoria and is named after him..
Eremophila bignoniiflora x viscida ‘Meringur Midnight’ (photos below, left and middle)
We planted three of these shrubs, 4m high x 2m wide, with long narrow green leaves and deep purple flowers for much of the year, in 2015, 2016 and 2018. This plant likes a hot sunny site and is best on heavy soils. Our plants lost many leaves in the severe hailstorm of January 2020. This plant is a garden seed hybrid from Ray Schilling’s garden in Mildura, Victoria. Spinebills and Wattlebirds love this plant.
Eremophila biserrata (photo above right)
We planted this prostrate plant, which can grow to 3m wide and layers itself as it goes, in December 2008. This plant, native to southwestern Western Australia, has grown strongly with dark green serrated leaves and orange flowers.
Eremophila brevifolia
We have planted three of these variable shrubs, 1-4m high x 1-4m wide, with smooth branches, tiny, sticky round leaves, and white or pale mauve tubular flowers in 2006 and 2017. The first plant died in August 2011, but the other two persist. These plants are native to southwestern Western Australia. We cut back both bushes in 2020 and moved one of them into more sun. Removed the last one September 2023.
Eremophila calcicola
We planted this hardy shrub with green foliage, 0.5m high x 1.5m wide, with green flowers throughout the year, in a pot, in November 2023. Growing enthusiastically so moved to a larger pot in November 2024.
Eremophila calorhabdos - Red Wand Emu Bush (photos above)
We have planted a dozen of these upright spindly shrubs, from 1m to 4m high by 1.5m wide or less, over ten years. We now have three remaining with serrated green leaves which are evenly spaced along the branches and bright pink flowers. Last one died March 2023.
Eremophila calorhabdos x denticulata (photo below left)
We have planted ten of these bushy hybrids, 1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with bright green foliage and deep pink flowers, from 2013 - 2018. Ben made cuttings and the first four planted promptly died. The second five, in a different part of the garden, have grown well to 2m high and wide with trimming
Eremophila christophorii (photo above right)
We have planted three of these upright open shrubs, 2.5m high x 2m wide, with bright green leaves and blue, white or pink flowers, in 2009, 2017 and 2019.This plant was named after Christopher Giles who first collected the species and is native to southern Northern Territory. Last one died November 2021.
Eremophila ‘Crazy Gal’ (photos below, left two)
We have planted nine of this hybrid between E. glabra x maculata subsp. maculata, which forms a compact shrub, 1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with large scarlet tubular flowers with a spotted orange throat, in 2020-21. Two are in large pots and the remainder are in a sunny, but vulnerable part of the garden, where one was run over by a delivery driver 10 March 2021. This plant originated in Russell Wait’s garden in Swan Hill, Victoria, from an E. maculata seed. Only two of these remain in 2024.
Eremophila cuneifolia - grafted (photos above, right two)
We planted this bushy shrub, 1.2-1.5m high, with many mauve/pink flowers, in February 2018. Be careful to remove the Myoporum rootstock. This plant is native to the Pilbara region, WA.
Eremophila decipiens
We planted one of these compact shrubs, 0.5-1m high x 3m wide with bright green leaves which are flat, vary in length and are pointed at the tip, in October 2009. The flowers are bright red. Our plant is rather overwhelmed by other plants and does not get enough sun, but still flowers each year. This plant is native to central and southern WA and southern SA. Name means deceiving or false. We planted another three in December 2021 but these are doing poorly.
Eremophila dempsteri - Dempster’s Broom (photo below left: pink form)
We have planted three of these erect broom-like shrubs, 3.5m high and wide, with dull green leaves almost succulent-like and scattered along the branches, in 2011, 2014 and 2016. The flowers can be lilac, mauve, pink or white. This species was named after William Dempster, one of the original settlers of Esperance, WA and is native to southern WA. Only one remains 2024.
Eremophila densifolia (photo above right)
We have planted about 40 of this low mounding groundcover, 0.1-0.5m high x 1-2m wide, with dense dark green foliage and purple to blue flowers, from 2009-2020. This plant is native to southern WA, near Esperance, and is named after Andrew Dempster, a mariner and grazier. Ben has made many cuttings of this plant and it has been a very successful plant in our garden among other plants over many years, now sadly disappeared.
Eremophila densifolia ‘Purple Carpet’
We planted two of these hardy shrubs, 30cm high x 1-1.5m wide, with dense dark green foliage with a purplish tinge in winter months and purple tubular flowers, in November 2016. This plant was removed in August 2023.
Eremophila denticulata – Fitzgerald Fuchsia (photos below, left two)
We planted this shrub, 1-1.3m high x 1m wide, with dark green toothed leaves and red tubular flowers in February 2019. This plant is native to southern WA, near Esperance. This plant was removed in August 2023.
Eremophila denticulata ssp. denticulata - Toothed Emu Bush (photos above, right two)
We planted this fast growing shrub, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with dark pink-red flowers in September 2017. This plant is native to southern WA, near Esperance, and will attract honeyeaters. Died August 2023.
Eremophila denticulata x calorhabdos
We planted this hardy shrub, 2-3m high x 1.5m wide, with pink flowers, in September 2017. Removed in February 2022 as was far too big for its position.
Eremophila dichroantha - Bale Hook Broom
We planted two of these upright, dense, broom-like shrubs, 3m high and wide, with small fine green leaves, sometimes with a purple tinge, and white, blue or purple flowers, with sepals that are purple/burgundy and remain on the shrub long after the flower has gone. This plant is native to southern WA. The first one died in the rain a month after planting in October 2010, but the other one, planted in March 2015, persisted until it died in the rain October 2022.
Eremophila divaricata
We have planted three of these dense, tangled, spreading shrubs, 1.5m high x 2m wide, with dull green leaves on arching branches and pink, mauve, white or lilac flowers. The name means widely spreading and this plant is native to Murray Darling in NSW, Vic and SA, and grows naturally on river flats. Our original planting in May 2011 persists, but the other two, planted in 2014 died in winter ‘15. Removed last one November 2022.
Eremophila divaricata Callowatta form (photo below left)
We planted this spreading shrub , 1-1.5m high x 1.5-2m wide, with oblong leaves, light coloured stems and tubular blue, lilac or pinkish mauve flowers, in March 2022. This plant is best in a wide range of soils in a sunny posiition, is drought hardy and bird attracting. Died April 2024.
Eremophila drummondii (photos above, middle and right)
We have planted four of these shrubs, 0.5-1.3m high x 0.5-1m wide, with narrow sticky leaves. and blue tubular flowers, from 2011-2018. The oldest one was removed 2013 and the compact form died 2019, and one of the broad leaf forms in 2021. We have one broad leaf form remaining. This plant is native to southwestern Western Australia. Removed November 2024.
Eremophila drummondii ‘Low Dome’
We planted this selected form , 0.7m high x 1.5m wide, with dark green sticky leaves and purple tubular flowers, in January 2021 - removed November 2022, as was browned off in the rain.
Eremophila ‘Drysdale’ chimera
We planted this hybrid, E. hygrophana x Myoporum insulare, a periclinal chimera, which has the outer skin of one plant and the inner genotype of another. This fast, vigorous evergreen shrub, 2-2.5m x 2m, has the leaf shape of Myoporum insulare but the foliage is greyish instead of green. However, sporadic branches will revert to type for both species meaning there will be three types of foliage on the bush. Each one of these types of branches will have different flowers. The dominant branches which have the grey Myoporum shaped foliage will have blue Myoporum flowers. The branches that revert to green Myoporum foliage will have white Myoporum flowers and the branches that revert to Eremophila hygophana will have purple Eremophila flowers. This plant is hardy and adaptable, prefers well drained soils in full sun or part shade, and is drought and frost hardy.
Eremophila ‘Fairy Floss’ (maculata x racemosa) (photos below, left two)
Eremophila “Fairy Floss” is a hybrid generated from E. maculata and E. racemosa. We planted four of these shrubs in September 2015, 2 m x 1.5 m wide, with bright green foliage and candy pink tubular flowers with fine white hairs (hence the name). This plant produces flowers over a long period. Removed all November 2023.
Eremophila ferricola ‘Tallering Peak’ (photos above right two)
We planted this spreading shrub, 1.5m high, with green flowers in May 2020. This plant is native to the region around Geraldton, WA. Died February 2023.
Eremophila foliosissima (photo below left)
We planted this dense shrub, 0.75m high x 1.5m wide, with evergreen leaves and purple flowers in October 2019. Prefers full sun with good air movement and is frost tolerant. . The name means many leaved and the plant is native to central WA.
Eremophila glabra ‘Amber Carpet’ (photo above right)
We have planted five of these low growing groundcovers, 30cm high x 2m wide, with attractive green, furry foliage with greyish tips, and many orange-yellow flowers, from 2008-16. Only one remains after winter ’17, but it is growing well.
Eremophila glabra ‘Belalla Gold’ (photos above)
We planted this groundcover in February, 2016, 0.2m high x 2m wide, with dense oval green leaves and bright yellow tubular flowers.
Eremophila glabra ‘Burgundy’
We planted this groundcover with lime green foliage and rich orange red pea flowers in January 2021. Removed September 2023.
Eremophila glabra ‘Canning Stock Route’
We planted this upright shrub, 1-1.5m x 1m wide, with silvery grey foliage and red tubular flowers late winter and spring and sporadic throughout other times of the year, in a pot in May 2023. This plant is a tough shrub for difficult areas, grows best in full sun but will tolerate part shade in most soils. Flowering well in spring 2024.
Eremophila glabra ‘Fruit Salad’
We planted six of these vigorous, prostrate plants, 0.3m high x 1.5m wide, with bright green leaves and attractive red and yellow flowers, in February 2015. One removed January 2024.
Eremophila glabra ‘Hello Cocky’ (photos below, left two)
We have planted three of these compact shrubs, 0.6m high x 1.5m wide, with silvery foliage and yellow flowers resembling a cockatoo’s crest. These plants are keeping a compact low shape without any pruning and they bloom abundantly. These shrubs were damaged by the La Nina rains and were removed in November 2023.
Eremophila glabra ‘Lime Gold’ (photos above, right two)
We have planted five of these shrubs, 1.2m high x 1.5m wide, with mint green foliage and many lime flowers, in 2017-18. Three were planted under some protection but were a bit frosted off over winter ’18 and one died. Their protection, a large Eucalyptus sideroxylon, has now been felled after losing a third of its mass in December 2020, but the remaining two are thriving. Two planted in the back garden are more protected.
Eremophila glabra low orange
We planted seven of these low spreading shrubs, 0.5m high x 2m wide, with grey leaves and orange flowers, from 2011-1015. Ben made a number of cuttings and they grew well. Seem to have disappeared now in 2022.
Eremophila glabra ‘Mingenew Gold’
We have planted four of these dense groundcovers, 0.2m high x 2m wide, with bright green leaves and yellow flowers, in 2010 and 2017. We have planted them in full sun and frost and three of them have survived. All removed by February 2023 - suffered in the rain.
Eremophila glabra Murchison River low form ‘Silver Flame’
We have planted one of these shrubs, 1-1.5m high x 1-2m wide, with silver leaves and orange flowers in June 2017. Despite some protection, this plant is not fond of our frosts - removed February 2023.
Eremophila glabra pale pink
We planted this shrub, 0.5m high x 1m wide, with pale pink flowers, in December 2018 and it has flowered well. Died in the rain December 2021.
Eremophila glabra ‘Rottnest Emu Bush’ (photo below left)
We planed three Eremophila glabra ‘Rottnest Emu Bush’ in October 2015, and they have grown larger than advertised in our garden to 1.5m high and wide. They did blow over in the wind and needed staking two years later, but since then have bloomed with dark red flowers over many months.
Eremophila glabra ‘Silver Ball’ compact grey (photo above right)
We have planted three of these compact shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with grey green lance shaped foliage and many tubular yellow flowers, in 2008, 2018 and 2019. This is a versatile plant which grows in full sun to part shade in most well drained soils, but is somewhat susceptible to frost in Canberra. We have two of these shrubs remaining.
Eremophila glabra ‘Streaky Bay’ (photos below, left two)
We planted this groundcover, 30-50cm high x 1-2m wide, with green-grey foliage and red-orange flowers sporadic throughout the year, in December 2018 . This plant is vigorous and long flowering. This plant was removed in October 2022.
Eremophila glabra subsp. albicans (orange) (photos above, right two)
We have planted six of these rounded to spreading shrubs, 1-1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with sparsely hairy green-grey leaves and yellow-orange flowers, in October 2013. These plants respond well to pruning. this plant is native to southwestern Western Australia.
Eremophila glabra subsp. Arrowsmith (photos above)
We have two of these vigorous shrubs in 2014 to 1.5m high and 1.5m across with bright green leaves and masses of bird attracting yellow flowers in late winter and spring. We have cut one to the ground 1/21 and will wait to see if it will reshoot - did not. Removed last one September 2023.
Eremophila glabra subsp. glabra
We planted five of these shrubs, 0.4-2m high x 1-3m wide, with grey-green leaves, red flowers and red fruit, in 2017 Three plants died over winter ’17 and we have two remaining. This plant is widespread across the southern, drier parts of Australia. Removed October 2021.
Eremophila glabra var. tomentosa ‘Norseman’
We planted three of these shrubs, 1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with grey foliage and red tubular flowers in 2018-19. They are alive but not thriving in 2021. Same condition 2024.
Eremophila glabra x veneta ‘Augusta Storm’
We have planted six ‘Augusta Storm’, a long lived small shrub, 30-50cm x 1-1.2m, with grey green foliage and unusual stormy purple flowers with white stamens., in 2014-15. We have two remaining, but these are free flowering over a long period. Seem to have disappeared in 2024.
Eremophila glabra (yellow prostrate)
We have planted three of these groundcovers, 0.3m high x 1 m wide, with narrow grey leaves and yellow flowers, in 2005 and 2010. Two died over winter ’06, one remains. Eremophila glabra is widespread across the southern, drier parts of Australia. Removed for lack of sun in October 2024.
Eremophila glandulifera ‘Lipstick Pink’ - grafted (photos below, left two)
We planted this upright shrub with attractive grey foliage and lolly pink flowers in a pot in December 2019. This plant is from central WA and grows to a height of 1.5m.
Eremophila granitica (photos above, right two)
We planted this shrub, height 1.5m, with pink cup flowers, in May 2020. This plant is widespread and common in the area between Kalgoorlie and Murchison, WA. died in the rain March 2023.
Eremophila hygrophana (photos above)
We planted two of these low spreading shrubs, 0.75m high x 1m wide, with dull grey or grey green leaves with a dense cover of very tiny hairs, which are sometimes golden and large purple flowers, in 2010 and 2019. The name means change of colour which refers to the colour of the flower as it dries. This plant is native to the arid regions of central WA, northern SA and southern NT. The first plant died over winter ’15, but the remaining plant is really attractive with large purple bells over a long period.
Eremophila ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ (glabra)
We have planted 24 specimens of this vigorous low growing form of Eremophila glabra, 0.3m high by 2 m wide, with white-grey foliage and yellow bird attracting flowers, from 2004-2021. This plant is frost hardy to -7 deg C. Several of these plant shave been attacked by cockatoos, but many continue to scramble among other plants, providing a pleasing foliage colour contrast.
Eremophila ‘Kalbarri Gold’ (glabra) (photo below left)
We planted three of these shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with silvery grey-green foliage and many gold tubular flowers, in February 2008. This is an excellent foliage plant. One has performed very well and the other two have died October 2009.
Eremophila laanii (photos above middle and right)
We have planted three of these showy shrubs, 1-2m high x 1-2m wide, with tangled branches lanceolate hairy leaves and pink tubular flowers in April 2007. All died over winter ’07. The fourth one was planted in better position in November 2008 and is blooming really well. This plant is native to an area near Geraldton, WA. Died June 2022.
Eremophila lachnocalyx
We planted this slow growing shrub, 1.75m high, with amazing grey foliage and purple flowers., in a pot in March 2021. This plant, native to central WA, needs good air movement and a warm spot and tolerates only light frosts.
Eremophila latrobei apricot
We planted this shrub, 1m high x 1m wide, with linear warty green foliage with apricot flowers, in January 2021. This plant is native to central WA. Removed September 2022.
Eremophila lehmanniana (photos below, left two)
We have planted three of these upright shrubs, 0.5-2m high and wide, with small bright green leaves which are are sometimes serrated, and white flowers, in 2009 and 2015. This plant is native to west central and southern WA. The first plant died over winter ’10 and the second and third in 2018 and 2019. One plant has resurrected itself and flowered in September 2021, but has disappeared now in 2024.
Eremophila longifolia (photos above, right two)
We have planted eight of these tall shrubs, 2-4m high x 1.5-3m wide, with weeping linear green leaves and dusty pink tubular flowers, from 2011-2017. These plants attract birds and butterflies, are tolerant of frost, sucker at times and will respond to heavy pruning. This plant is widespread across the drier parts of Australia.
Eremophila longifolia x scoparia - Stirling Silver (photos below, left two)
We have planted three of these upright shrubs, 2.5m high and wide, with thin grey-green weeping leaves and pink flowers, from 2014-16. One died over winter ‘14, but the others persisted until 2023 and 2024.
Eremophila macdonnellii Simpson Desert form (photos above right two)
We have planted two of these shrubs, 1m high x 2-3m wide, with silver grey foliage and purple flowers, in December 2017 and March 2021 in a pot. The plant in the ground flowered well but then died over winter ‘18. We hope to have more success with the plant in a pot. This plant is native to central Australia. This plant has now flowered in November 2021 with a beautiful dark purple flower, but sadly succumbed in January 2023.
Eremophila mackinlayii subsp. spathulata (photos above)
This shrub, 3m x 3m, with grey green leaves and large blue-purple flowers is one of our most reliable bloomers in the garden. We planted one in October 2017 and another in May 2019. The first planted has grown to its full size, is dense and well shaped and very rarely out of flower. This plant is native to central western WA. This plant is thought to be a chimera and is often called ‘Big John’.
Eremophila maculata aurea (photos above)
Our specimen was rescued at the last moment from the dumpster. It appreciated being placed in a more protected spot, resurrected itself and has proceeded to bloom non stop ever since. We shave it back quite severely each spring and are rewarded with a constant procession of bright yellow flowers much appreciated by birds and bees. Removed last one May 2021.
Eremophila maculata – Spotted Emu Bush
We have planted seven of these variable shrubs, usually rounded, 2m high by 2m wide, with linear leaves and tubular spotted flowers on long curving peduncles which are yellow, pink, mauve or red, from 2005-6. Most commonly cultivated variety – reliable. This plant is widespread through Queensland, NSW, SA and NT.
Eremophila maculata ‘Apricot Delight’
We have planted five of this hardy and vigorous form of the Spotted Emu Bush, growing to 1m high x 1.5m wide, with a profuse display of apricot flowers, from 2010-2018. Bird attractant. All gone by November 2024.
Eremophila maculata apricot form
We have planted eleven of this hardy form of the Spotted Emu Bush, growing to 1.5m high and 1m wide, with apricot flowers in winter and spring. This plant prefers well drained soils in full sun to light shade and is frost and drought tolerant. These plants have been knocked around by the dryness and heat in 2014-15. Our original plant, purchased from a nursery in Port Augusta in October 2010, is still flowering well, but we removed all the other plants made from cuttings in February 2021 as they were not thriving.
Eremophila maculata ‘Blush’
We have planted four of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with soft pink flowers in 2015 and 2018. This plant is attractive to birds and tolerates drought, clay and frost. The flower colour is very pleasing. Disappeared by September 2022.
Eremophila maculata brevifolia
We planted two of this form of Emu Bush, 1m high and wide, with bright red, tubular flowers, in 2007 and 2010. The flowers attract nectar feeding birds. These plants are almost always in flower. Removed the last one December 2022 as was not thriving in the rain.
Eremophila maculata ‘Brick’
We planted this long flowering compact shrub, 1-2m high and wide, with attractive silvery green foliage, spotted red flowers and egg shaped fruits., in February 2019. We had to move this plant to a more spacious spot in the lower sand garden after seeing how large it grew in Warwick, Queensland in August 2020. Removed November 2023.
Eremophila maculata ‘Burnt Orange’
We planted this bush, 80cm high x 70cm wide, with burnt orange flowers attractive to honeyeaters, in March 2015. Is this the same plant as Goondiwindi? Removed 2021.
Eremophila maculata ‘Bush Cinnamon’ (photos above)
We planted four of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with tubular cinnamon pink flowers, from 2014-15. One was dug up by a fox in February 2015, but the others persist. Removed the last one August 2022.
Eremophila maculata ‘Campfire’
We planted this shrub, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with tubular flame coloured flowers in March 2015. Bird attractant. This plant had large fruits January 2020. Doing poorly in 2024.
Eremophila maculata cerise
We planted three of these long flowering, compact shrubs, 2m high and wide, with attractive green to silvery foliage and spotted cerise flowers, in 2008 and 3018. The fruits are egg shaped and attractive to birds. . Height to 2m, width 2m.
Eremophila maculata (cerise)
We planted two of these variable shrubs, 0.5-2m high x 1-2m wide., with sticky green leaves and tubular cerise flowers, in 2018.
Eremophila maculata ‘Compact Lemon’
We have planted seven of these shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with many tubular lemon flowers, in 2014-2016. One was dug up by a fox in February 2015, and another three were removed for failure to thrive, but three remain. More removed in 2023 and only one remains.
Eremophila maculata ‘Elf’
We planted three of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with tubular soft pink flowers in October 2014. An extra benefit is attractive dark purple-pink foliage in winter. We removed one for poor performance but the other two remain. Removed the last one September 2022.
Eremophila maculata hot pink
We planted one of these in the upper sand garden. in October 2018. The flowers are bright pink.
Eremophila maculata ‘Large Salmon’ (photos above)
We have planted four of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with large tubular salmon flowers in 2014-15. One plant was unearthed by a possum or fox in December 2014. Removed September 2022.
Eremophila maculata ‘Lightning Ridge’
We planted this shrub, 1m high and wide, with red tubular flowers, in September 2016.
Eremophila maculata ‘Mad Mile’
We planted this shrub, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with orange buds and solid yellow flowers with a dusting of orange streaks, in March 2015. Removed September 2022.
Eremophila maculata ‘Meredith’
We planted this shrub, 1m high and wide, with dark pink flowers, in February 2019.
Eremophila maculata ‘Minnie Pink’ (small pink) (photos below, left two)
We planted this shrub, 1m high and wide, with pale pink flowers most of the year, apricot when in bud, in March 2011. Large fruits form after flowering. Removed October 2022.
Eremophila maculata orange form (photos above, right two)
We planted this spreading shrub, 2m high and wide, with orange flowers in September 2017.
Eremophila maculata pale pink form
We planted this spreading shrub, 2m high and wide, with pale pink flowers in September 2017.
Eremophila maculata ‘Passionate Lady’
We planted two of these evergreen compact shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with deep pink flowers, in February 2019. Ian Tranter says that it is very similar to E. ‘Meringur Crimson’. Somewhat nibbled by a hare October 2020. Planted another in March 2022.
Eremophila maculata (pink)
We planted two of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with pink flowers in 2018. One was dug up by a fox or possum in October 2018. Last one died January 2020.
Eremophila maculata ‘Pink Passion’
We planted three of these shrubs, 1m high and wide, with green foliage and many tubular, fragrant, rose-pink flowers, in March 2017.
Eremophila maculata (purple)
We have planted eleven of these variable shrubs, 0.5-2m high x 1-2m wide, with sticky leaves and tubular, spotted purple flowers, from 2009-2013. Also called ‘Thundercloud’ according to Lyndal Thorburn
Eremophila maculata red form
We planted this compact spreading shrub, 0.5m-3m high and wide, with dark green sticky leaves and red flowers, in March 2007. This plant is native to the drier parts of all states of Australia. It grows naturally in heavy clay soils in full sun and will tolerate dryness and is very drought resistant.
Eremophila maculata ‘Scarlet’
We have planted two of these shrubs, 1m high x 1-2m wide, with tubular scarlet flowers in 2018. One was dug up by a possum or fox in October 2018. The other disappeared September 2022 with the Gum Vine.
Eremophila maculata (scarlet flowering dwarf)
We planted three of these shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with scarlet flowers, in April 2007. This is a colourful plant best grown in full or half sun with reasonable drainage. Our plants did not thrive originally, but with some extra watering have recovered strongly by November 2007. Removed two remaining December 2021.
Eremophila maculata ‘Silver Hybrid’
We have planted three of these hybrids between E. maculata and E. viscida in 2017 and 2019 This hardy shrub, 2m high and wide, has silver grey flowers and is a vigorous grower.
Eremophila maculata x racemosa
We have planted two of these shrubs, 2m high and 2m wide, with bright green leaves and pink flowers, with cobwebby hairs protruding from the tube, in 2009 and 2014. This plant is a bird attractor. Removed from back garden in August 2022 – grew but did not flower.
Eremophila maculata x viscida (photos above)
We planted nine of these shrubs, advertised as 1m high x 1m wide, with many silver mauve flowers, from 2014-2017. They have grown larger in our garden, 2m high and wide, with plenty of flowers over a long period. One blew out of the ground in October 2015. We have pruned up the remainder as they tend to smother other plants. All removed September 2022.
Eremophila maculata yellow
We planted two of these variable shrubs, usually rounded, 2m high x 2m wide, with linear leaves and spotted yellow flowers on long curving peduncles, in 2013 and 2018. Removed the one down the driveway for failure to thrive – the one in the back garden seems to have disappeared, in September 2022.
Eremophila maculata ‘Passionate Lady’ (photos below, left two)
We planted two of these evergreen compact shrubs, 1m high x 1m. wide, with deep pink blooms in February 2019. Apart from being eaten by our resident hare in October 2020, these plants are thriving.
Eremophila ‘Mallee Lipstick’ (photo above right)
We planted a group of 8 ‘Mallee Lipstick’, a cross between E. glabra and E. maculata in 2014-5. These plants form a shrub 1m high and 1.5m wide with grey green leaves and bright pink flowers over many months. They are very vigorous and benefit from pruning.
Eremophila margarethae
We planted this compact shrub, 1.5m x 1.5m, with pale to deep blue flowers in May 2020. This species is native to central WA. Died 2022.
Eremophila microtheca – Heath Like Eremophila
We have planted eleven of these evergreen shrubs, 1m high and wide, with narrow, crowded, scented silver-green foliage and lilac tubular flowers, over the years 2005-21. These plants are native to a small area near Geraldton, WA and are rare in nature. Many of them have died in rainy periods and none survive today.
Eremophila oldfieldii (photo below left)
We have planted five of these upright shrubs, 3m high x 2 m wide, with fine green leaves and bright orange-red flowers in spring, from 2017-2020. These plants are native to south central WA. None remain in 2024.
Eremophila oldfieldii ‘Honeyeater Cheer’ (grafted) (photos above right two)
We planted this shrub, 2m high x 2m wide, with dark green leaves and dark orange flowers, in November 2011. This eremophila is named after Angus Oldfield, English botanist, and is native to central and southern WA.
Eremophila oldfieldii ssp. angustifolia x E. oppositifolia ‘Piccaninny Dawn’ (photos below, left two)
We have planted three of these compact shrubs, 3m high x 3m wide, with dark grey leaves and rose pink flowers, in 2011, 2018 and 2020. This plant will grow in a variety of soils, is drought tolerant and is somewhat tolerant of frost. Our first plant died after -6 deg. C. frost in June 2012. We have placed the other two under more overhead protection and they are flowering well.
Eremophila oppositifolia ‘Hardy Harry’ (photos above, right two)
We planted this shrub, 2.5m high x 1.5m wide, with lovely grey foliage and pinkish-white flowers over a long period, in October 2010. Not getting enough sun 2024 - removed.
Eremophila oppositifolia ‘Midnight’
We planted two of these dense upright bushes, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with long narrow silver-grey to green foliage and many dark purple tubular flowers, in 2019. Neither of them are thriving, August 2021. Died September 2021.
Eremophila oppositifolia ‘Moonlight’
We planted two of these shrubs, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with long narrow greyish foliage and striking creamy tubular flowers in 2011 and 2019. The first one bloomed for a couple of years then suddenly died in March 2015. the second one appears to be growing well, August 2021. Removed grevillea branches that were smothering it in 2024.
Eremophila oppositifolia purple (photos below, left two)
We planted two of these shrubs, 1.5m high x 1-2m wide, with grey-green linear leaves and purple flowers with prominent white calyces, in 2013 and 2016. They have flowered well for the last four years.
Eremophila ‘Pink Pantha’ (photos above, right two)
We planted one of these plants, with silver foliage and pink flowers, developed by Russell Wait, in August 2018. We saw a magnificent ‘Pink Pantha’ in Toowoomba which had grown 2m high and 1.5m wide, ours poor in comparison.
Eremophila platycalyx subsp. platycalyx
We tried one of these shrubs, 2.5 x 2.5m, with cream flowers and pink sepals, in the ground in May 2017, but it died the next year. We are now trying one in a pot, planted May 2020. Died November 2021.
Eremophila psilocalyx x dempsteri
We planted two of these broom-like shrubs, 3m high, with many scented blue flowers, in 2014 and 2016. The first one died after flowering in November 2016, but the other persisted until it died in the rain, October 2022.
Eremophila punicea – Crimson Emu Bush
Name means reddish. We planted this shrub, 0.3-0.7m high x 0.5m wide with grey leaves and white, pink or crimson flowers, in a pot, in March 2022. Tolerates medium frosts, does best in full sun with good air circulation. Native to central WA. First pink flowers in September 2022.
Eremophila racemosa (photo below left, first)
We planted seven of these rounded shrubs, 1.5m high x 0.3-1.5m wide, with narrow leaves and flowers with orange buds maturing to reddish purple, over the years 2003-2012. These shrubs need protection from the wind and like to fall over, then reshoot. In the wild they are restricted to the Roe Botanic District, southwestern WA. We removed three older bushes as they had become woody in March 2012 and replanted. One of the replacements died over frosty winter ’12 and was replaced again. All removed August 2022.
Eremophila racemosa ‘Peaches and Cream’ (photos above, right three)
We planted one of these upright shrubs in April 2020, 0.3-1m high x 0.3-1m wide, with many of lemon-gold flowers which open to cream, contrasting nicely with the mid green foliage. This plant blooms in spring and again in autumn, and will attract nectar loving birds. Died in the rain February 2022.
Eremophila racemosa ‘Weston’s Wonder’
We planted five of these shrubs, 0.5-1.5m high and wide, with narrow dark green foliage and a profusion of tubular flowers which change from orange to pink, in December 2015. this plant was created by Yarralumla Nursery and named in honour of Thomas Weston. Disappeared in too much shade 2023.
Eremophila ‘Ray’s Blue’
We have planted two of these plants in 2020-21, Eremophila oppositifolia subsp. oppositifolia, 3m high x 2.5m wide, known as Ray’s Blue, another selection from the Meringur property of the late Ray Schilling. This long lived variety, with deep purple flowers, responds to pruning and is native to southeastern South Australia.
Eremophila ‘Red Desert’
We planted this hybrid, E. glabra x E. decipiens, 0.3m high x 2m wide, a prostrate bush with greenish grey foliage and an orange bud opening to a red tubular flower, in February 2021. Disappeared November 2024.
Eremophila ‘Red Splendour’
We planted two ‘Red Spendour’ in October 2018 and 2019.. This upright shrub, E. splendens x calorhabdos, 1.2m high x 1.2m wide, has bright red flowers in late spring and summer. Browned off and died October 2021.
Eremophila ‘Ros’ (racemosa x maculata) (photos above)
We have planted ten of these showy shrubs, named for me, 1m high x 1m wide, with orange buds and pink flowers in spring to early summer and after heavy rain, from 2014-2017. Ian Tranter grew this plant from seed taken from our plant, E. racemosa ‘Peaches and Cream’, but the resulting plant is different from ‘Peaches and Cream’ with orange buds and pink flowers. Several of these plants have become browned off. We have pruned them quite hard and they regenerate well with fresh green foliage. Only one remains 2024, we took cuttings and removed the original bush - cuttings failed.
Eremophila ‘Smokescreen’
We planted this subspecies, E. youngii subsp. lepidota, 2-3m high x 1.5m wide, with unusual yellowish grey-green foliage and many magenta tubular flowers, in August 2019. This plant is native to an area inland from Geraldton, WA. I fear that our plant has not thrived in the frost and rain of a La Nina year in Canberra. - died October 2021.
Eremophila stenophylla
We have planted two of these upright broom-like shrubs, 6m high and 2m wide, with narrow silver grey leaves and pink or red flowers, in 2015 and 2019. This plant is native to southwestern Queensland. The first one died over winter ’15, but the other persists. Removed last one December 2023.
Eremophila subfloccosa var. subfloccosa
We have planted four of these spreading shrubs, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with densely packed hairy grey leaves and greenish yellow tubular flowers in 2008 and 2013. For reasonably drained light to medium soils in a warm open spot with other shrubs. Prune lightly. The original two plants died over winter ’17, but the others are growing and spreading. This plant is native to an area between Perth and Kalgoorlie, WA.
Eremophila subteretifolia
We have planted two of these prostrate shrubs, 0.15m high x 1.8m wide, with narrow bright green leaves and orange flowers, in 2009 and 2011. This plant is native to southern WA, near Esperance. Second one died in October 2011, but the other one persists.
Eremophila (polyclada x divaricata) ‘Summertime Blue’
We have planted five of these dense shrubs, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with narrow shiny dark green foliage and large showy blue flowers in summer, from 2005-2019. The first three, planted in the ground, did not prosper - the drainage was not good enough. The other two, planted in pots, have done better, although one died over winter ‘17. This plant originated in the flood plains of the Murray River in NSW and Victoria.
Eremophila waitii ‘Silky Lavender’
We planted one of these upright shrubs, 1-2m high x 1.5m wide, with short aromatic grey leaves and pale grey buds, which develop into deep lilac flowers, in February 2021. This beautiful plant was discovered by, and named for Russell Wait from one locality on the midwestern coast of WA. Died December 2022.
Eremophila weldii
We planted four of these spreading compact shrubs, 0.5 – 1.5m high by 1.5m wide, with blue green leaves which have wart like bumps on them and pale to deep lilac flowers in 2010 and 2014. This plant is native to the southern coast WA and SA and is named after Governor Weld. The first one planted died in the frost in September 2012, but the three new ones are flowering well. Disappeared by 2022.
Eremophila ‘Wild Berry’ (E. maculata x alternifolia)
We planted this shrub, 1-2m high x 1-2m wide, with narrow leaves and dark pink/purple flowers, in April 2012. This plant prefers warm site in full or part sun with good drainage. Died October 2022.
Eremophila ‘Winter Gold’
We planted this spreading shrub, 1.5m high and wide, bright green foliage and yellow flowers in October 2018. This plant blooms over a long period.
Eremophila ‘Yanna Road’ (photos above)
We planted three of these grafted evergreen shrubs, 1m high and wide, with narrow grey foliage and pink tubular flowers, in 2016-17. These plants can be a bit sensitive to frost in Canberra and two have died, but the other one survives.
Eremophila ‘Yanna Wonder’
We planted this hybrid, E. glabra ‘Canning Stock Route’ x E. ‘Yanna Road’, 2m high x 2m wide, with greyish foliage and pink flowers in January 2021. Smothered by Chrysocephalum - died June 2022.
Eremophila youngii
We planted two of these upright shrubs, 1-2m high x 0.6-1m wide, with attractive grey foliage and tubular pink flowers in 2010 and 2012. This plant can be pruned to shape and is useful for narrow spaces. This eremophila is native to central WA. One died in April 2021, but the first one planted survives.
Eremophila youngii ‘Yellow Canary’
We planted this upright shrub, 1-2m high x 0.6-1m wide, with attractive grey foliage and yellow tubular flowers, in February 2020.
Eremophila youngii ‘Dusky’
We planted this compact upright shrub, 2.5m high x 1.5m wide, with long grey foliage and many dusky pink flowers over s long period, in April 2021.
