Eremophila drummondii, commonly known as Drummond’s Emu Bush, is a Western Australian native shrub valued for its hardy nature, attractive purplish flowers and suitability for challenging dry garden conditions. This upright form grows to around 1.5 metres high and 1.5 metres wide, forming a rounded shrub that works beautifully in native borders, habitat gardens, inland landscapes and low-maintenance plantings.

Eremophila drummondii is well adapted to tough environments and is particularly useful where soils are not ideal. It tolerates saline soils, and will grow in both clay and loam, provided drainage is suitable. Its main flowering period is in spring, when the shrub produces soft purple to mauve-purple tubular flowers that bring seasonal colour and nectar to the garden.

This is a resilient, adaptable Eremophila for gardeners wanting a medium-sized shrub with wildlife value, drought tolerance and a strong Australian dryland character.

Flowers

• Purple to mauve-purple tubular flowers.
• Main flowering period is spring.
• Flowers may vary slightly in depth of colour depending on plant, season and growing conditions.
• Nectar-rich blooms attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Foliage

• Upright to rounded shrub habit.
• Grows to approximately 1.5 m high × 1.5 m wide.
• Provides year-round structure in dry native gardens.
• Can be lightly pruned to maintain density and shape.

Cultivation

Soil:

Adaptable to clay, loam and saline soils, provided drainage is adequate. It will also grow in sandy or gravelly soils. Avoid prolonged waterlogging, particularly in heavier soils.

Sunlight:

Best grown in full sun for strongest flowering and most compact growth. It will tolerate light shade, though flowering may be reduced.

Watering:

Water regularly during establishment. Once established, Eremophila drummondii is drought tolerant and generally requires little supplementary watering except during extended dry periods.

Frost tolerance:

Expected to tolerate light to moderate frost once established, particularly in a sunny, well-drained position. Young plants may benefit from protection in colder gardens.

Drought tolerance:

Drought tolerant once established, making it suitable for waterwise gardens, inland plantings and low-rainfall landscapes.

Salt tolerance:

Tolerates saline soils, making it useful for difficult inland sites and gardens affected by mild salinity.

Pruning:

Lightly tip-prune young plants to encourage branching. After flowering, prune lightly to maintain a dense, rounded shrub and encourage fresh growth.

Fertiliser:

Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if needed. Avoid heavy feeding and excessive watering.

Uses

• Medium-sized shrub for dry native gardens.
• Suitable for large pots and containers with free-draining native potting mix.
• Useful in clay, loam and saline soils.
• Excellent for waterwise and low-maintenance landscapes.
• Suitable for inland gardens and semi-arid plantings.
• Useful as a feature shrub, informal border plant or habitat shrub.
• Good companion for other hardy Eremophilas, native grasses and dryland shrubs.

Habitat Value

Eremophila drummondii is a useful nectar shrub for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its tubular spring flowers are well suited to honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, while also supporting native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beneficial insects.

Its rounded shrub habit adds shelter and structure to habitat plantings, especially in dry gardens where resilient nectar plants are needed. It can be used as part of a layered native planting to provide both food and cover for small garden wildlife.

Growing Tips

Plant in a sunny, well-drained position and water through the first summer to establish a strong root system. Once established, reduce watering and allow the plant to harden to local conditions.

In heavier clay or loam soils, plant slightly raised if drainage is uncertain. For container growing, use a large pot with a free-draining native potting mix and avoid saucers that hold water. Light pruning after spring flowering will help maintain a neat, dense shrub.

Sylvaterre Eremophila Range

Sylvaterre Native Nursery grows the largest and most diverse collection of Eremophila plants on the east coast of Australia, with more than 50 different species and forms available at different times of the year. From rare collector’s plants to hardy garden performers, our Eremophila range is ideal for drought-tolerant, bird-attracting, and habitat-focused native gardens.

Shipping Note

At Sylvaterre Native Nursery, every plant is treated with care and respect. Unlike many online nurseries that ship tubestock lying flat — often stacked on top of each other in standard Australia Post boxes — all Sylvaterre plants are shipped upright in custom-made cardboard plant boxes. This helps ensure they arrive healthy, happy, and ready to thrive in your garden or pots. See our shipping cartons in the image gallery.