A prostrate emu bush forming a dense silver-grey mat dotted with tubular yellow-green flowers that feed honeyeaters. An extremely drought-hardy groundcover for hot, dry banks.
At a glance
- Plant type: Spreading groundcover
- Mature size: 40 cm H × 2 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet'
Eremophila glabra 'Kalbarri Carpet' is a spreading groundcover in the Scrophulariaceae family, native to Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. It reaches around 40 cm tall and 2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen and silver-grey foliage. Yellow and orange flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet'
Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' suits arid and semi-arid, Mediterranean and warm-temperate climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice and is usually left alone by rabbits.
Soil & planting
Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' does best in sandy, free-draining, clay and poor soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' is very drought tolerant once established, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' in the garden
Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' earns its place for holding soil on banks and slopes, pots and courtyard containers and drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' with other plants that enjoy the same very drought tolerant and arid and semi-arid climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet'
Plant Sale lists Tar Bush 'Kalbarri Carpet' as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.