Eremophila splendens x calorhabdos is a hardy hybrid emu bush combining the brilliant flower colour of Eremophila splendens with the upright growth and garden resilience of Eremophila calorhabdos. The result is a striking, bird-attracting shrub with vivid tubular flowers and a naturally upright habit, ideal for dry native gardens, habitat plantings and low-maintenance landscapes.

Growing to around 1.5–2.5 m high and approximately 1–2 m wide, Eremophila splendens × calorhabdos is useful where a colourful, drought-tolerant shrub is needed for height, structure, screening or seasonal flower display. It performs best in sunny, well-drained positions and is well suited to inland gardens, dry gardens, large pots, mixed native borders and wildlife-friendly planting schemes.

At Sylvaterre, Eremophila splendens × calorhabdos is valued as a tough, floriferous hybrid with excellent garden potential. Its tubular flowers provide nectar for honeyeaters and other beneficial wildlife, while its upright habit gives useful height and structure among lower Eremophilas, native grasses, groundcovers and other dryland shrubs.

Flowers

• Bright pink-red to deep pink tubular flowers.
• Flowering is often strongest from late winter to spring, with additional flowering possible depending on season and conditions.
• Flowers are showy against the grey-green foliage.
• Tubular blooms attract honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.
• Also supports native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Foliage

• Grey-green foliage on an upright to bushy shrub.
• Provides useful contrast among other native shrubs and dryland plants.
• Dense growth can be maintained with light pruning.
• Useful as a structural plant in dry native gardens and habitat plantings.

Cultivation

Soil:

Best grown in well-drained soil. Suitable for sandy, loamy, gravelly or lightly clay-based soils where drainage is adequate. In heavier soils, plant on a mound or raised bed.

Sunlight:

Prefers full sun for best growth and flowering. It may tolerate very light shade, although flowering is usually strongest in open sunny positions.

Watering:

Water regularly while establishing. Once established, Eremophila splendens × calorhabdos is drought tolerant and needs little supplementary water except during extended dry periods.

Frost tolerance:

Frost tolerant once established, especially in well-drained positions. Young plants may benefit from protection from severe frost while settling in.

Drought tolerance:

Drought tolerant once established and well suited to dry native gardens, inland gardens, low-water landscapes and exposed sunny positions.

Pruning:

Prune lightly after the main flowering period to maintain a dense, shapely plant. Tip-pruning when young will encourage branching and help prevent the shrub becoming too open.

Fertiliser:

Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if needed. Avoid overfeeding and avoid wet, poorly drained soils.

Uses

• Feature shrub for dry native gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
• Suitable for large pots and containers.
• Useful as a colourful screen, background shrub or mixed border plant.
• Excellent for bird-attracting and habitat-focused gardens.
• Valuable for low-water, drought-tolerant and semi-arid garden designs.
• Adds height, structure and strong flower colour to native plantings.

Habitat Value

Eremophila splendens × calorhabdos is a valuable nectar plant for habitat gardens. Its tubular flowers attract honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, while also supporting native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

The upright, bushy habit provides shelter and structure for small birds and helps create layered, resilient native plantings when combined with lower Eremophilas, native grasses, groundcovers and other dryland shrubs.

Growing Tips

Plant in a sunny, well-drained position with good airflow. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce watering once the plant is growing strongly.

For the best shape, tip-prune young plants and prune lightly after flowering. This helps encourage dense growth and repeat flowering while keeping the plant neat and garden-worthy.

For containers, choose a large pot with a free-draining native potting mix and avoid saucers that hold water. Regular light pruning will help keep potted plants compact and attractive.

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.