A rounded emu bush with bright green foliage and yellow tubular flowers through winter and spring that draw honeyeaters. Extremely drought-hardy for arid and coastal gardens.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 2 m H × 2 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Yellow Spotted Emu Bush
Botanically, Eremophila maculata 'Aurea' is a shrub in the Scrophulariaceae family, native to Australia. It reaches around 2 m tall and 2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Yellow flowers appear in winter and spring.
Where to grow Yellow Spotted Emu Bush
Yellow Spotted Emu Bush 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.
Soil & planting
Yellow Spotted Emu Bush does best in free-draining, sandy and clay soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 1.2 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Yellow Spotted Emu Bush handles dry conditions well once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Prune Yellow Spotted Emu Bush after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Yellow Spotted Emu Bush in the garden
Yellow Spotted Emu Bush earns its place for drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden, a feature or specimen planting and a fast screen or informal hedge.
Companion planting & design
Combine Yellow Spotted Emu Bush with plants that share its preference for very drought tolerant and arid and semi-arid climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Yellow Spotted Emu Bush
Plant Sale lists Yellow Spotted Emu Bush as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
