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 the middle, with stamens that extend beyond its upper lip. The flowers have four short curled upper lips, and 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: The flowers attract 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.
Soil: Well draining, dry, low in organic content, pH 5.6-8.5 (acidic to alkaline).
Water once established: Once or twice a month.
Prune: Lightly, to shape, after flowering.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Cuttings. Very difficult from seed.
Uses: Ornamental, low water (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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