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Eremophila nivea

silky emu bush

Scrophulariaceae Inland Western Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Eremophila nivea is an evergreen shrub in the Scrophulariaceae family, growing 3-8 feet (1-2.5 m) tall and 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) wide with an upright, open form. The whole plant is covered in dense silvery-white hairs that give the narrow leaves and young stems a soft, felted, near-white appearance. The leaves are small, 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) long, and crowded along the stems. Tubular two-lipped flowers 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) long open lilac to pale blue-mauve from late winter through spring, set against the white foliage. It is native to a small area of inland Western Australia and is rare in the wild. The species needs sharp drainage and dry air; in humid climates or heavy soils it is prone to fungal leaf and root disease, and it is often grafted onto Myoporum spp. rootstock to tolerate clay and irrigation. It is frost tender and damaged below about 27F (-3C). Established plants are drought tolerant and tolerate alkaline soil.

Native Range

Eremophila nivea is native to inland Western Australia, where it grows in a restricted area on red sandy and loamy soils. It is listed as a threatened species in the wild, and garden plants derive from cultivated and grafted stock.

Suggested Uses

Grown in dry-climate, gravel, and native gardens and in containers with free-draining mix, spaced 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) apart. The silver foliage contrasts with green-leaved and dark-foliaged plants. In humid areas it is grown in raised beds or pots where drainage and airflow can be controlled.

How to Identify

Recognised by its silvery-white, densely hairy foliage and stems, which appear almost white from a distance. The small narrow leaves crowd along the stems, and lilac to blue-mauve tubular flowers about 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) long open among them. The near-white foliage separates it from green-leaved Eremophila spp. species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3'3" - 8'2"

Width/Spread3'3" - 4'11"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering runs from late winter through spring, roughly July to November in the Southern Hemisphere. The lilac to blue-mauve tubular flowers open in the leaf axils over many weeks. Nectar-feeding birds visit the tubular flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lilac to blue-mauve

Foliage Description

Silvery-white

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.5(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in light, sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil, including alkaline ground, at a pH of 6.5-8.5. Water needs are very low once established, and the plant suits arid and Mediterranean climates with dry air. In humid regions and heavy or wet soils it develops fungal leaf spot and root rot, which is why grafted plants on Myoporum spp. rootstock are used on clay or under irrigation. It is frost tender, with damage below about 27F (-3C). Overhead watering and high humidity are the main causes of decline.

Pruning

Light tip pruning after flowering keeps the shrub compact and prevents an open, leggy habit. It responds to regular trimming of soft growth but recovers slowly from cuts into old bare wood. Pruning is done in dry weather to limit fungal entry.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer