shrub

Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue

Eremophila 'Summertime Blue'

The Story

Plant Bio

Eremophila is a diverse genus of evergreen Australian shrubs and trees adapted to arid and semi-arid environments. These plants are characterised by their resinous or hairy foliage and tubular flowers adapted for pollination by native birds.

'Summertime Blue' is a naturally occurring hybrid between Eremophila divaricata and Eremophila polyclada that forms a large, spreading shrub with a weeping, fountain-like habit. It produces pale lilac to violet-blue tubular flowers from deep purple buds, primarily during summer but extending from spring to autumn.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces a dense, weeping canopy of fine green foliage covered in pale lilac-blue flowers over an extended period from spring to autumn.

Highly drought-tolerant and uniquely capable of thriving in heavy, alkaline clay soils where other desert species fail.

The nectar-rich tubular flowers provide a highly valuable food source for native Australian honeyeaters and beneficial insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

79 inches

Width

118 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Autumn

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a planting site in full sun to light shade with well-drained soil, though heavy clay is tolerated.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits at its original soil level.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil, then apply a coarse organic mulch to conserve moisture.
Provide minimal supplementary water once established, as the root system is highly drought-tolerant.

Pro Tip

Prune the canopy lightly immediately after the main summer flowering flush; cutting back into old, leafless wood where epicormic buds are absent will prevent regrowth and leave permanent bare patches.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly every year immediately after summer flowering to maintain a dense, rounded form.
Grow in heavy clay or alkaline soils where other Eremophila species usually fail.
Ensure the planting site receives maximum daily sunlight to promote heavy flowering.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood that lacks active green leaves.
Do not overwater once the root system is established, as this species thrives on dry conditions.
Do not plant in deep shade, which causes a sparse, straggly habit and reduces flowering.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

HedgeWindbreakCoastal GardenDryland LandscapingBird Garden

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Anigozanthos flavidus Correa alba

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue questions

What zones can Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue grow in?

Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue bloom?

Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue typically blooms in spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue need full sun?

Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Summertime Blue Emu Bush, Summertime Blue handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.