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
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’
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
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.
Eremophila densifolia (prostrate form)
Eremophila densifolia prostrate form
This is one of my favourite plants. I have been growing it for about 20 years and it has a few flowers most of the year with a main flush in spring and autumn. It is a low spreading plant. I have another form which is quite flat. Not a vigorous plant to be controlled but grows to about a metre (3 feet) wide in our poor soil. The one in the photo occasionally has branches to about 30cm (1 foot).
I have not seen any frost burn on the tips but occasionally caterpillars make webs in some branchlets and defoliate them. The colour is a deep purply blue and I have seen variations on this on other plants. It is a difficult colour to photograph.