Eremophila scoparia , also known as Broom Emu Bush or Scotia Bush, is a hardy inland Australian shrub with fine broom-like foliage, an upright habit, and delicate tubular flowers in shades of mauve to purple, often with attractive spotting in the throat.
Growing to around 1.5–3 metres high and 1–2 metres wide, this species is a useful structural shrub for dry native gardens, wildlife plantings, windbreaks, informal screens, and low-maintenance landscapes. Its narrow foliage and upright branching give it a soft, fine-textured appearance, making it particularly useful among broader-leaved shrubs or silver-foliaged dryland plants.
This shrub grows primarily in desert and dry shrubland ecosystems, thriving on sandy red earths, often within Belah-Rosewood and mallee woodland communities.
Like many inland Eremophilas, Eremophila scoparia is valued for its resilience. Once established, it is highly tolerant of drought, frost, lime and difficult soils, making it a reliable choice for semi-arid, inland, waterwise and habitat-focused gardens. Its nectar-rich flowers support birds and pollinators, while the dense branching provides shelter for small wildlife.
Flowers
• Tubular flowers in shades of mauve or purple.
• Flowers often have delicate spotting or markings inside the throat.
• Flowering is usually strongest in spring and summer, with additional flowers possible after rain or watering.
• Nectar-rich blooms attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.
Foliage
• Fine, narrow, broom-like foliage on upright stems.
• Gives a soft, airy texture in dry native gardens.
• Dense enough with pruning to form an informal screen or habitat shrub.
• Useful contrast plant alongside broader or darker green foliage.
Cultivation
Soil:
Adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, gravelly, clay loam, lime-influenced and alkaline soils. Avoid prolonged waterlogging.
Sunlight:
Best in full sun, where it will flower most strongly and maintain a denser habit. It will tolerate light shade.
Watering:
Water regularly while establishing. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant and needs very little supplementary water. Occasional deep watering during extended dry periods can improve flowering.
Frost tolerance:
Frost tolerant once established and suitable for inland gardens.
Drought tolerance:
Highly drought tolerant once established, making it ideal for dry and semi-arid landscapes.
Pruning:
Prune lightly after flowering or tip-prune regularly while young to encourage branching and density. This species can become open if never pruned, so early shaping is recommended.
Fertiliser:
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if required. Avoid rich fertilisers and excessive watering.
Uses
• Hardy structural shrub for dry native gardens.
• Useful as an informal screen, hedge or windbreak.
• Excellent in bird-attracting and habitat-focused gardens.
• Suitable for large pots and containers when young or regularly pruned.
• Good for lime-influenced, inland and semi-arid soils.
• Useful in low-maintenance, waterwise and rural plantings.
• Provides fine foliage texture and seasonal flower colour.
Habitat Value
Eremophila scoparia is a valuable wildlife shrub. Its tubular flowers provide nectar for honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, while also attracting native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beneficial insects.
The upright, branching habit offers shelter and perching opportunities for small birds, and the fine foliage provides protective structure for insects and other small fauna. In dry habitat gardens, it contributes reliable structure, seasonal nectar and drought-resilient cover.
Growing Tips
Plant in a sunny, well-drained position with enough space for the shrub to develop naturally. Water through the first summer to establish a strong root system, then reduce watering once established.
Tip-prune young plants to encourage a dense, bushy habit. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and prevents the plant becoming too open. In heavier soils, plant on a mound or raised bed to improve drainage.
For containers, use a large pot with free-draining native potting mix and avoid saucers that hold water.
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.
