Pink Dome™ Emu Bush

Pink Dome Emu Bush (Eremophila hybrid 'EREM05') is a compact Australian native shrub bred by Ozbreed to form a neat dome without much pruning. It grows 550mm to 900mm high and wide, with small glossy green leaves held tightly along branching stems, and tubular pink flowers with speckled throats that peak in spring and repeat through the warmer months.

Why you'll love it

• A dome without the work. The habit is naturally dense and rounded, and it needs less pruning than larger eremophilas.
• Long flowering. Flowering is heaviest in spring, with repeat flushes through the warmer months.
• Nectar for wildlife. The flowers attract birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
• Drought tolerant once established. After the first season it is highly drought tolerant.
• Neat all year. The glossy foliage looks tidy even when the plant is not in flower.

Where it works best

Low hedging and clipped domes. For a low formal hedge or a row of clipped domes, plant about 70cm apart so the plants meet, then clip to shape. Ozbreed lists low hedging, box-shaped plantings and clipped domes among its uses.

Individual specimens and informal masses. Plant 1m apart, about one plant per square metre. Ozbreed's range is 1m to 1.5m apart, with the wider spacing giving each dome room to show.

Native and pollinator gardens. It suits formal native beds and modern landscapes, and gives birds and insects a nectar source beside grevilleas and westringias.

Growing Pink Dome Emu Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with the best flowering and growth in sunny positions with good air circulation. Ozbreed recommends it for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, with testing continuing in Queensland and the ACT. Treat it as a plant for dry and temperate climates, since humid, wet summers are harder on it.

Soil. Well drained soil is essential, because the plant dislikes prolonged wet conditions. On clay, plant on a raised mound with the crown above the surrounding soil.

Water and feed. Water regularly during establishment, then step back; established plants are highly drought tolerant. Feeding is optional, and a light dressing of low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring is plenty.

Pruning. Prune to keep the shape you want, but avoid cutting back into old wood. Little and often, taking only soft growth, suits it better than one hard cut.

What to expect when it arrives

We list Pink Dome Emu Bush as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for a long low hedge, while the 200mm plants give a more developed start. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is not always available, so a size shows as sold out when no grower has it. The notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

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

• More Australian native plants
• See the full Ozbreed range
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens
• Plants for bees and butterflies

Common questions

Can I clip it into a hedge or a dome?

Yes, it is bred for low formal hedging and clipped domes. Trim lightly and keep to soft growth, never cutting into bare old wood.

Will it grow in Queensland?

Ozbreed recommends it for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia and is still testing in Queensland and the ACT, so we cannot yet recommend it there.

Why do emu bushes sometimes die suddenly?

Almost always from wet roots. This plant needs well drained soil and dislikes prolonged wet, so mound it on clay and avoid overwatering once it is established.