Eremophila ‘Wildberry’ is a hardy hybrid emu bush grown for its bright pink to plum-magenta tubular flowers and easy garden performance. Combining the upright habit of Eremophila alternifolia with the colour and resilience of Eremophila maculata, it forms a medium shrub for dry native gardens, large pots, mixed borders, low screening and bird-attracting habitat.

At Sylvaterre, ‘Wildberry’ is valued as a fast growing,  tough, colourful and wildlife-friendly hybrid for sunny, well-drained positions. Eremophila Wildberry planted adjacent to a garden receiving summer water grew to 2 metres high and wide in 3-4 years. It is useful where a medium to large Eremophila is needed for flower colour, habitat value, drought tolerance and low-maintenance structure.

Flowers

• Bright pink to plum-magenta tubular flowers, often with spotted throats.
• Flowers may appear from late autumn or winter through spring and summer, depending on season and climate.
• Strong flower colour makes this hybrid useful as a feature shrub or colourful border plant.
• Tubular flowers attract honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.
• Also supports native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Foliage

• Narrow green foliage on an upright to bushy shrub.
• Provides a clean foliage contrast among other dryland shrubs and native grasses.
• Responds well to pruning and can be kept compact and dense.
• Useful as a medium-height 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. It can tolerate heavier soils if drainage is good, but in wet or compacted clay it is safer to plant on a mound or raised bed.

Sunlight:

Prefers full sun for best flowering and dense growth. It will tolerate light semi-shade, although flowering is usually strongest in open sunny positions.

Watering:

Water regularly while establishing. Once established, Eremophila ‘Wildberry’ is drought tolerant and needs little supplementary water except during extended dry periods.

Frost tolerance:

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

Drought tolerance:

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

Pruning:

Tip-prune when young to encourage branching and a dense habit. Light pruning after flowering will help maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourage fresh growth.

Fertiliser:

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

Uses

• Colourful shrub for dry native gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
• Suitable for large pots and containers.
• Useful for, background planting and large habitat gardens.
• Excellent for bird-attracting and habitat-focused gardens.
• Valuable for low-water, drought-tolerant and semi-arid garden designs.
• Good for adding plum-toned flower colour.

Habitat Value

Eremophila ‘Wildberry’ 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 best results, tip-prune young plants to encourage side branching. After flowering, trim lightly to maintain a compact shape and encourage repeat flowering.

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, dense 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.