shrub

Emu Bush

The Story

Plant Bio

Eremophila longifolia, the emu bush, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to arid inland Australia, featuring a rounded crown and distinctly weeping, pendulous branches. The narrow, sickle-shaped leaves grow up to eight inches long, presenting a dull grey-green color covered in fine, appressed hairs when young.

The plant produces tubular, brick-red to dull orange flowers along the leaf axils, which attract hummingbirds in warm climates. Its root system frequently produces suckers, eventually forming dense clonal thickets if left unchecked.

Uses & Benefits:

Features a highly graceful weeping habit with attractive grey-green foliage and brick-red tubular flowers.

Excellent for soil stabilization and windbreaks in arid, drought-prone landscapes.

Provides a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds in North America and supports local insect populations.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

160"

Width

120"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Toxic if Ingested

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with excellent, sharp drainage, such as a raised bed or sandy loam slope.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Water the newly planted shrub deeply to settle the soil, then withhold supplementary water once the root system establishes.
Position the plant away from architectural hardscapes to accommodate its natural tendency to produce underground root suckers.

Pro Tip

Avoid planting this species in irrigated turf or heavy, slow-draining soils; chronic root moisture combined with poor drainage is the primary cause of fungal decline.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune regularly to maintain a dense, compact shape and control the spread of root suckers.
Ensure the soil dries out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.
Use a grafted specimen if planting in humid regions or heavy clay soils.

Don't

Do not overwater or allow the plant to sit in soggy, waterlogged soil.
Do not apply heavy fertilizers, which force soft, disease-prone growth.
Do not cut back hard into old, thick, leafless wood unless active dormant buds are visible.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen PlantWindbreakErosion ControlXeriscapingHedge

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Salvia apiana Agave parryi

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Emu Bush questions

What zones can Emu Bush grow in?

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 Emu Bush deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Emu Bush, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Emu Bush bloom?

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

Does Emu Bush need full sun?

Emu Bush does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Emu Bush drought tolerant?

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