Eremophila maculata forms (Emu Bush)
Eremophila maculata 'Wendy'
The Eremophila Study Group News Letter arrived and we are being encouraged to spread the good word about Eremophilas as hardy plants.
Plant hardiness is a relative term, I think. On the gardening programme Gardening Australia on ABC TV, the term is used by presenters in the Eastern States. A plant is described as hardy there, when I know that it is not hardy here unless it is regularly watered during the summer. A writer in the ‘Journal’, magazine of the Australian Plants Society, South Australia, prefers to refer to plants as being ‘adaptable’ or not. I tend to agree with him. There are many plants which would come into that category.
However, Eremophilas tend to be both hardy and adaptable. The issue that bothers many plants is over watering. Especially plants in pots. Watering regularly on a weekly basis as our water restrictions impose on us will spell disaster for many native plants, especially those that have a form of summer dormancy. Another issue is drainage which must be very good for Eremophilas.
The photo above is a selection of Eremophila maculata ‘Wendy’ which has reddish buds which open to dark pink. Tip pruning and trimming produces a bushy plant and many flowers.
I am wondering how tall and wide the Eremophila maculata grows to
Hi Barbara
Eremophila maculata has a number of forms. The red one is a medium shrub about 2 metres tall by 1.5m wide. They generally will be a bit smaller because they need light pruning regularly after flowering to keep them from being too leggy. The yellow form is a little larger, there is a much lower form and a compact form with cerise flowers. All need light pruning to keep them tidy.
Corinne
Can you supply yellow flowered form of Eremophila Maculata?
Please advice me as to where I can purchase these in QLD. I need many of the eromophila varieties.
You could try one of the nurseries listed on the website of the Australian Native Plants Society here https://www.npq.org.au/growing-native-plants/nurseries
Thanks I will wait to hear from you.
Hi,
My maculata Wendy has beautiful red foliage and I’m wondering where I can purchase more of these!