Plant profile: Eremophila - 12 amazing dry climate flowering shrubs

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we visit the wonderful Melton Botanic Gardens to look at a lesser known group of Australian plants, the Eremophilas. These amazing dry climate flowering shrubs show huge diversity of flower, foliage and form, from dense mat forming ground covers to very large shrubs, from large silver foliage to tiny bronze leaves and flowers in an extraordinary array of colours. We'll meet specialists Barb and David Pye and learn some of the secrets of propagation...and just why an emu might come in handy!
If you want to learn about Melton Botanic Garden you can here: www.melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-A...
The plants we cover in this video are:
Eremophila glabra
Eremophila glabra 'Balalla Gold'
Eremophila calorhabdos - Red Rod
Eremophila subfloccosa
Eremophila densifolia
Eremophila gilesii
Eremophila abietina subsp. ciliata
Eremophila bignoniifora x Eremophila polyclada - Big Polly
Eremophila mackinlayi - Big John
Eremophila splendens
Eremophila muelleriana
Eremophila nivea

[@brocktoon8]

I love how you always put the names of the plants you showcase in the description, that's much appreciated!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

No problem! Regards Stephen

[@pennyhoward6838]

I'm in Phoenix Arizona, USA. We are hot, arid, and have little rainfall. These plants are ideal for low water landscapes. Using different cultivars/varieties allow us to have color almost all year around, Thanks so much for featuring them.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad we could do something that applied to your climate. Regards Stephen

[@roytate3889]

Hello, I'm from Phoenix over on the westside in Peoria. Which Emu plants do you grow in your garden and where did you get them? Home Depot and Summer Winds has them for example. A picture would be very cool. Thanks. I love these two guys. So informative and entertaining at the same time. That botanical garden is awesome. Saw some beautiful Banksia in the background. Would love to grow them to.

[@tarzouet3142]

This botanic garden is beautiful place to wonder with your family: lake with bird life, play ground, barbecue area...

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You are so right. Regards Stephen

[@KayentaRojo]

Yay! Dry climate plants! Eremophilas are actually relatively common here in the southwestern U.S. People commonly plant them along with leucophyllum (texas sage) which looks very very similar. E. glabra & E. hygrophana are the most common varieties you see here in Southern Utah, but I have seen a few other species in Arizona. Such a great video boys!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Fabulous. Regards Stephen

[@ryanharvey1098]

Nice to see another Utahn! But I’m up north.

[@michelleadams1210]

How exciting to watch this lovely video. I live near Mildura and I have started my eremophila collection. They grow very well here. I have a gorgeous one, bred by a local man called Ray Schilling. Ray's Blue. It has the most delicate sweet purple flowers, but it's so tough. The silver foliage on many of them is so attractive. I will keep adding to my collection. Thank you for putting them in your spotlight. More people need to know about them. ❤

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Wonderful! Regards Stephen

[@EzmeWatson]

A great segment, thank you. I'd love more plant profiles on Australian native genera.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Your wish is our command! Regards Stephen

[@dianbedggood8361]

Thank you, eremophila is a favourite genus of mine

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliashearer7842]

Wow! I have never heard of these! What a fascinating range of characteristics. I love that silver one with the green flowers but I doubt they would like my clay soil.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You are right they hate clay soils. Regards Stephen

[@Eva_noir.]

The Nivea variety is very popular here in Japan😙 I definitely gonna get one!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad to know that. Regards Stephen

[@user-ub2mu6iz5y]

Fascinating information about the chimera. I've read about human beings who are chimeras - I think someone who is a chimera could have a green eye and a brown eye, for instance. You've made me want to read up on the subject again. Thanks. Another very interesting video. 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad we got you intrigued. Regards Stephen

[@user-ub2mu6iz5y]

Yes, I've just been refreshing my memory about the human side of it. Interesting stuff. And also regarding the Eremophila chimera. 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@Kay-qt2id]

A lot of border collies have one blue and one brown eye, is this the same thing?

[@andrewwintrip4565]

Yay..we live in melton..the botanical gardens are fantastic there. Iv bought many plants from their nursery including eremophila

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I agree with you, it is a great place and an asset to Melton. Regards Stephen

[@joanne-et6pm]

Thanks Stephen & Matt great video as always

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Our pleasure! Regards Stephen

[@alexpalma2449]

Thanks for the videos you guys are great xx

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Our pleasure! Regards Stephen

[@ensi6796]

Thanks!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thank you VERY much!

[@user-bl5qc9vp8v]

Thank you for this !

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching it!

[@finb7578]

I could be wrong but it think Snapdragons, Fox gloves and just about every other plant that looks like it should be Scrophulariaceae has moved to Plantaginaceae. Sorry I couldn't resist... Love the videos keep them coming! Plus an episode on Banksias would be amazing!!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I think you could be right but I hate that change. Regards Stephen

[@sunenielsen2686]

I was just waiting to see if you included Eremophila nivea, and yes :) - bought it in our local supermarket in Denmark this spring and it is doing well in a somewhat dry place in our garden, flowering for a second time now - hope it will survive our winter..

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Best of luck and I'm amazed that it is being grown in Denmark. Regards Stephen

[@jacqinthegarden]

Hi, I have 3 of the niveas growing in ferntree gully, in heavy clay. Obviously they are grafted, but all 3 doing well. I shear them after flowering and they are becoming quite dense. Thanks for your great show as always ❤❤❤

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for sharing and glad you are enjoying our efforts. Regards Stephen

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Wonderful video full of new information. I grafting bit was intriguing. I want one but I fear it would need a very sturdy rootstock! Thank you, guys

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I don't think you and Eremophila are likely to hit it off. Regards Stephen

[@sharonthompson6293]

wish they would grow here in west gippsland . too much of a rain belt here I'm guessing but what stunning plants

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@Flowergarden6159]

Must get one.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Why stop at one? Regards Stephen

[@jcking6785]

Stunningly beautiful plants!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I think so too! Regards Stephen

[@Loogiemistress]

I’m off to take cuttings & repopulate Perth 😂

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Fabulous. Regards Stephen

[@mariale7821]

Interesting, first time hearing the name for this plant. I think I’ve seen it in the Bahamas before at baja mar.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

If you have it won’t be a native to that area. Regards Stephen

[@priscillaschultz5184]

I just bought a red rod and would like to know how to prune it to get a bit wider plant. I live in california in zone 9. Not sure that's relevant but thought I would add it anyway. Thanks for the Eremophila video.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad you enjoyed the video. As far as pruning is concerned I wouldn’t prune back below foliage and if you do prune it will still send up strong vertical growth and I doubt will ever make a bushy plant. So perhaps just enjoy it’s slightly leggy look. Regards Stephen

[@antoinettebeck6773]

They don't seem to grow in South Africa as far as I can tell.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Sadly. Regards Stephen