Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

1 other cultivar

‘Yana Road’Emu Bush

shrub

Summertime Blue Emu Bush

Eremophila x hybrida 'Summertime Blue'

The Story

Plant Bio

Eremophila is a genus of drought-tolerant Australian shrubs and trees adapted to arid climates and diverse soil profiles. These plants feature tubular flowers adapted to specific pollinators and tough, resilient foliage that conserves moisture.

'Summertime Blue' is a dense, spreading cultivar with weeping, fountain-like branches covered in fine, silvery-green leaves. It produces pale violet-lilac tubular flowers from spring through fall, showing exceptional tolerance for heavy alkaline clay soils.

Uses & Benefits:

Features a graceful, weeping habit with fine silvery-green foliage and a long season of pale violet-lilac flowers.

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

Provides nectar for native bees and desert insect pollinators during the hot summer months.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

72"

Width

120"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived Shrub

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Fall

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun or reflected heat with well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic amendments or high-phosphorus fertilizers.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then establish a low-frequency watering schedule once the root system is established.

Pro Tip

Plant in full sun and avoid low-lying areas where water pools; while this cultivar tolerates heavy clay better than other emu bushes, chronic overwatering or stagnant soil causes rapid root decline.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly after the main summer flowering flush to maintain a dense, rounded form.
Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry out completely between irrigations.
Grow in full sun to maximize flower production and maintain tight, compact foliage.

Don't

Do not shear heavily into old, leafless wood, as regrowth from bare stems is extremely slow and patchy.
Do not overwater or plant in low spots where water accumulates.
Do not apply heavy applications of standard high-phosphorus fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

XeriscapeHedgeSpecimen PlantSlope StabilizationCoastal Garden

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Salvia greggii Agave parryi

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Summertime Blue Emu Bush questions

What zones can Summertime Blue Emu Bush grow in?

Summertime Blue Emu Bush 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.

Is Summertime Blue Emu Bush deer resistant?

Yes — Summertime Blue Emu Bush is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Summertime Blue Emu Bush bloom?

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

Does Summertime Blue Emu Bush need full sun?

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

Is Summertime Blue Emu Bush drought tolerant?

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