Mallee Native Plants

Mallee in Flower

Eucalyptus phenax (White Mallee)

I was working in the Nursery this morning and could hear what I thought was the neighbour’s air conditioner. It was there in the background but I could not track the other noise that was there. When I looked up above my head I saw it. There were hundreds of bees in the canopy of the tree because it was smothered in flowers.

I love our local mallee trees. Against all odds they put on beautiful new new leaf growth and flower prolifically when everything else has ‘quietened down’ for the hot summers we have here. We seem to have three different species and they flower consecutively. If I was into bee keeping, it would be worth while having hives here for about three months. These are moderately fast growing plants suitable for limestone soils.

Eucalyptus gracilis (White Mallee)

Eremophila subteretifolia

1 Comment »16th January, 2008; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila

Eremophila subteretifolia

When I first began growing Eremophilas (Emu Bushes) I tried those that were considered to be hardy and available through plant sales put on by the Australian Plants Society. 20 years ago there were not many species in the nursery trade.

Eremophila subteretifolia is ground cover plant covering about 3 metres and with the occasional branch rising to about 25 cm. It is mostly quite prostrate and has a cascading effect on embankments. It is not a vigorous plant so is easily contained to an area. This is another of those ground covering plants which could be used as a substitute lawn where it would not be walked over.

This species is very drought tolerant and frost hardy.

The plant has orange tubular flowers which are enjoyed by Honeyeaters, particularly Red Wattle Birds and New Holland Honeyeaters.

Eremophila splendens

No Comments »13th January, 2008; Category: , Coastal Planting, Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila

Eremophila splendens

I find Eremophila splendens to be a spectacular plant when in flower. The bright red flowers glow against the foliage which is quite hairy similar to some Eremophila glabra forms. This plant needs very good drainage. It is either a sprawling low plant or can be quite upright.

Eremophila splendens is restricted to Shark Bay about midway along the Western coast of Western Australia. It grows on the heathlands with Thryptomene and Melaleuca.

Last winter I lost some small plants to frost but I want to try again in a more sheltered location where the canopy of mallees may protect them. This is a plant that needs to be pruned aftyer flowering to encourage new and dense growth. Mature plants get very leggy and have sparse foliage without the pruning.

Eremophila glabra ‘Roseworthy’

No Comments »12th January, 2008; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila, Frost Hardy Plants

Eremophila glabra 'Roseworthy'

This is another of those tough glabra forms. This one originates from the Roseworthy district which is north of Adelaide in South Australia, on the road to the Barossa Valley. Many forms of native plants are named for the town or district where they grow and this is particularly so of Eremophilas.

This form of Eremophila glabra is quite flat like a lawn. In fact a well grown plant has the fresh green appearance of lawn and I am sure could be grown as a lawn substitute. It would only be visually like that as it could not be walked on like a lawn. However to have a flat green area is visually cooling even if it is not a true lawn. The plant would be worth growing for that alone. However another benefit is that Honeyeaters love the flowers which vary from yellow to red on the plant when in flower. This is a frost hardy plant also.

Eremophila dempsteri

No Comments »11th January, 2008; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila

Eremophila dempsteri

This shrub is a little like ‘broom bush’ and grows between 1-4 metres tall. It originates from Western Australia in the area of Balladonia and Coolgardie and Salmon Gums in woodland areas. The plant rarely exceeds 1.5m on poorer soils.

I like this plant because even when the flowers have finished it maintains interest in the garden. The calyx and developing seed pods are densely hairy and, along with the flowering time, gives the appearance of flowering continuously for several months.

The flowers are usually lilac, but purple and white forms are also available.