Eremophila glabra Kalbarri Carpet is a beautiful low-growing form of Eremophila glabra, valued for its spreading habit, hardy nature and warm-toned tubular flowers. Growing to around 20–30 cm high and 1.5–2 metres wide, it forms a dense, prostrate groundcover that is ideal for dry native gardens, embankments, rockeries, retaining walls and large pots.

This form is especially useful where a tough, flowering groundcover is needed. Its orange to red-orange tubular flowers appear across much of the warmer flowering season, with strongest blooming often from late winter through spring and summer. These nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to honeyeaters and other small nectar-feeding birds.

Once established, ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is an excellent choice for waterwise gardens, verge plantings, habitat gardens and low-maintenance landscapes where a resilient native groundcover is needed.

Flowers

• Tubular flowers in warm orange to red-orange tones.
• Flowers mainly from late winter to summer, with lighter flowering possible at other times.
• Nectar-rich blooms are attractive to honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.
• Flower colour contrasts beautifully with the low green foliage.

Foliage

• Low, spreading groundcover habit.
• Grows to around 20–30 cm high × 1.5–2 m wide.
• Dense foliage helps cover soil and soften edges.
• Useful as a living mulch in dry native plantings.

Cultivation

Soil:

Best in well-drained soil, including sandy, gravelly or loamy soils. It can tolerate poorer soils once established, but avoid prolonged waterlogging.

Sunlight:

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

Watering:

Water regularly during establishment. Once established, ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ is drought tolerant and needs only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

Frost tolerance:

Generally frost hardy once established, especially in a sunny, well-drained position. Young plants may benefit from protection during severe frost.

Drought tolerance:

Highly drought tolerant once established, making it ideal for low-water gardens and semi-arid plantings.

Pruning:

Tip-prune lightly to encourage dense coverage. Trim edges if required to keep the plant within bounds. Avoid heavy pruning into old bare wood.

Fertiliser:

Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if required. Avoid overfeeding, as this can encourage soft growth.

Uses

• Hardy flowering native groundcover.
• Excellent for large pots, bowls and raised planters.
• Useful over retaining walls, embankments and dry banks.
• Suitable for rockeries, verge gardens and low-maintenance landscapes.
• Ideal for waterwise and drought-tolerant gardens.
• Valuable in bird-attracting and habitat-focused plantings.
• Good companion for other Eremophilas, native grasses, Myoporum, Westringia and dryland shrubs.

Habitat Value

Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ is a valuable low nectar plant for habitat gardens. Its tubular flowers are well suited to honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, while also attracting native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beneficial insects.

Its dense, spreading foliage helps provide shelter at ground level for small invertebrates and contributes to a layered native planting structure. In dry gardens, it is especially useful as a hardy groundcover that provides both floral resources and protective cover.

Growing Tips

Plant in a sunny, open position with good drainage. Water regularly during the first growing season, then reduce watering as the plant establishes.

For best groundcover density, tip-prune lightly when young to encourage branching. In pots, use a free-draining native potting mix and choose a broad container that allows the plant to spill naturally over the sides.

Avoid humid, shaded or poorly drained positions, as these can reduce vigour and increase the risk of root problems.

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.