Garden Oracle / Drought and Heat Tolerant Gardening / Tucson - Phoenix - Arizona - California

Growing Eremophila glabra:
Emu Bush

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Description
Form: Shrub.
Leaf retention: Evergreen except heavily damaged below 20°F (-6.6°C).
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 3-4' (0.9-1.2m) high or prostrate, and 4-5' (1.2-1.5m) wide, depending on subspecies.
Flowers: Red, tubular, and fatter in middle, with stamens that extend beyond its upper lip. Four short curled upper lips, one longer curled lower lip. Some cultivars have yellow flowers.
Bloom: On and off throughout the year, including winter.
Fruit: A small capsule, fleshy or dried.
Leaves: Lance-shaped, glossy green to hairy and silver-green depending on subspecies.
Stems: No thorns.
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds. Birds and small mammals eat the fruit.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Australia.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 9-11.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to light shade.
Water once established: Once or twice a month.
Soil: Well drained, dry, low in organic content, pH 5.6-8.5 (acidic to alkaline).
Prune: Lightly, to shape, after flowering.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Cuttings. Very difficult from seed.
Uses: Ornamental, xeric garden.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The pictures are of the subspecies Camosa, cultivar 'Winter Blaze'.



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Eremophila glabra: Emu Bush - flower

Eremophila glabra: Emu Bush - flowers

Eremophila glabra: Emu Bush

Latest update: December, 2023
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