Plant Profile: Eremophila
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Episode: 22 (22nd September 2007)
If you are looking for a colourful, easy to grow, no nonsense plant, the wonderful Eremophila is a great choice. Eremophilas not only look great, they are also ideal for adding to your water smart garden.
Eremophilas are one of the hardiest Australian native plants. Originating from arid and semi-arid regions, these ornamentals thrive in hot and dry conditions. Commonly called the Emu Bush, they are also known as Poverty Bush, Turkey Bush and Native Fuchsia.
Eremophilas are called Emu Bushes because it was originally believed that for their seeds to germinate properly, they had to be eaten by an emu and go through its digestive system. Thankfully for home gardeners these plants grow well from cuttings.
Eremophilas are called Emu Bushes because it was originally believed that for their seeds to germinate properly, they had to be eaten by an emu and go through its digestive system. Thankfully for gardeners it is now known these plants grow well from cuttings.
Like many plants trying to survive the harshest of climates, Eremophilas have developed different methods to cope with severe conditions. Some have greyish, hairy foliage which reflect the sun's rays while others have a shiny, sticky coating, used as a protection against drying winds.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to flowers; white, red, yellow, purple and shades in between can be seen blooming, often from winter right through summer. There’s also great diversity in the growth habits, including low, spreading ground covers, rounded shrubs and large open bushes.
There are hundreds of different types of Eremophilas but you won’t find many with jazzy names, in fact most are sold under their botanical name. Here are a few you might come across.
Eremophila maculata ‘red’ is a great long flowering shrub. Eremophila ovata produces a mass of lilac blooms. Eremophila splendens has a wonderful spring display of deep red flowers. Eremophila biserrata is an excellent low spreading ground cover.
Eremophilas are happy growing in full sun to part shade and need well drained soil to perform at their best. Keep them trimmed to reduce their size while encouraging new growth and plenty of flowers. They are so easy to grow and an ideal choice for the water smart garden.
The Plants:
Eremophila maculata ‘Red’
Eremophila ovata
Eremophila splendens
Eremophila biserrata
Episode: 22 (22nd September 2007)
If you are looking for a colourful, easy to grow, no nonsense plant, the wonderful Eremophila is a great choice. Eremophilas not only look great, they are also ideal for adding to your water smart garden.
Eremophilas are one of the hardiest Australian native plants. Originating from arid and semi-arid regions, these ornamentals thrive in hot and dry conditions. Commonly called the Emu Bush, they are also known as Poverty Bush, Turkey Bush and Native Fuchsia.
Eremophilas are called Emu Bushes because it was originally believed that for their seeds to germinate properly, they had to be eaten by an emu and go through its digestive system. Thankfully for home gardeners these plants grow well from cuttings.
Eremophilas are called Emu Bushes because it was originally believed that for their seeds to germinate properly, they had to be eaten by an emu and go through its digestive system. Thankfully for gardeners it is now known these plants grow well from cuttings.
Like many plants trying to survive the harshest of climates, Eremophilas have developed different methods to cope with severe conditions. Some have greyish, hairy foliage which reflect the sun's rays while others have a shiny, sticky coating, used as a protection against drying winds.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to flowers; white, red, yellow, purple and shades in between can be seen blooming, often from winter right through summer. There’s also great diversity in the growth habits, including low, spreading ground covers, rounded shrubs and large open bushes.
There are hundreds of different types of Eremophilas but you won’t find many with jazzy names, in fact most are sold under their botanical name. Here are a few you might come across.
Eremophila maculata ‘red’ is a great long flowering shrub. Eremophila ovata produces a mass of lilac blooms. Eremophila splendens has a wonderful spring display of deep red flowers. Eremophila biserrata is an excellent low spreading ground cover.
Eremophilas are happy growing in full sun to part shade and need well drained soil to perform at their best. Keep them trimmed to reduce their size while encouraging new growth and plenty of flowers. They are so easy to grow and an ideal choice for the water smart garden.
The Plants:
Eremophila maculata ‘Red’
Eremophila ovata
Eremophila splendens
Eremophila biserrata
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