Midnight Emu Bush

Midnight Emu Bush (Eremophila oppositifolia 'Midnight') is a hardy native shrub, commonly known as twin-leaf emu bush, with fine grey-green foliage and tubular purple flowers in spring and summer. It grows 1m to 3m tall and 2m to 3m wide, is tough and low maintenance, and responds well to pruning, so you can hold it to the size your garden needs.

Why you'll love it

• Purple flowers on silver-green foliage. A cool, quiet colour scheme that suits modern native plantings.
• You choose the size. Left alone it grows to 3m, and it takes pruning well if you want a smaller, neater plant.
• Feeds birds and insects. Nectar-loving birds and insects visit the tubular flowers through spring and summer.
• Tough and low maintenance. It tolerates drought and light frost once established and grows in sand or clay.
• Suits firewise gardens. A suitable choice where fire risk matters.

Where it works best

Feature shrub. Give it space to spread, 2.5m from its neighbours, and it will form a broad, fine-textured shrub that works as a living backdrop.

Native and wildlife gardens. Combine with pink and yellow emu bushes for a long run of flower colour, and let the birds visit.

Year-round foliage. The grey-green leaves look good in winter, when many gardens need structure.

Growing Midnight Emu Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and low humidity are best. Eremophila means 'desert loving', though it tolerates some humidity and occasional seasonal flooding. It tolerates light frost and drought once established, and suits Mediterranean, arid and semi-arid, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. In humid subtropical areas, choose the sunniest, best-drained spot.

Soil. Sand, loam or clay all suit it, provided the soil drains well and is neutral to alkaline. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and even out soil temperature while the young plant establishes.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer, then ease off. Established plants usually manage on rainfall. After pruning, feed with a native slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune in spring to early summer, as growth starts. It responds well to pruning, so shape it each year to keep it dense.

What to expect when it arrives

Midnight Emu Bush is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small, leafy plant that will need a couple of seasons to reach its full spread. Plant it when the soil is warm and let the roots settle before the first big flowering.

The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is available again.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Native shrubs for Australian gardens
• Native bee plants
• Plants for native bees: a year-round guide
• Drought tolerant plants

Common questions

How big will it get?

Between 1m and 3m tall and 2m to 3m wide. Prune it each year if you want it to stay at the lower end.

What is twin-leaf emu bush?

It is the common name for this species, Eremophila oppositifolia, which carries its leaves in opposite pairs along the stem.

Is it fussy about soil?

Not especially. It grows in sand, loam or clay that is neutral to alkaline, so good drainage matters more than fertility.