{"product_id":"red-desert-emu-bush-eremophila-hybrid-red-desert","title":"Red Desert Emu Bush - Eremophila hybrid 'Red Desert'","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Desert Emu Bush (\u003cem\u003eEremophila\u003c\/em\u003e hybrid 'Red Desert') is a low native groundcover about 30cm tall that spreads to roughly a metre wide. Small grey-green leaves cover the stems, and warm coral-red flowers open from spring into summer. It is quick to spread, needs little more than an annual trim, and suits small gardens and big pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpreads quickly.\u003c\/strong\u003e It runs out along the ground to fill a patch about a metre across, so you get cover without a long wait.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour from spring into summer.\u003c\/strong\u003e Scarlet buds line the stems like a row of tiny candles, then unfurl into coral-red flowers that keep coming into summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeds pollinators and wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tubular flowers are a nectar source for native birds and insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost and drought tolerant once established.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a hybrid of \u003cem\u003eEremophila glabra\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eE. decipiens\u003c\/em\u003e, two tough Australian species, and it copes with cold nights and dry spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e One light trim after flowering and a feed with native fertiliser is about all it asks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover and underplanting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 80cm apart. Each plant spreads to about a metre, so at that spacing the mounds meet within a season or two and shade out most weeds. It also works as a skirt beneath taller shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits seaside planting, where the small grey-green leaves cope with sandy ground and sea breezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge containers and small gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 30cm tall it fits a front bed or a generous pot of free-draining mix, where the stems can spill over the rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Red Desert Emu Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun and low humidity suit it best. Its parents come from Australia's dry country, so it is most at home in Mediterranean, arid and semi-arid, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and it tolerates frost once established. In humid subtropical or tropical regions, choose the sunniest, best-drained spot and give it plenty of airflow, because sustained humidity is where emu bushes struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any well-drained soil will do. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and even out soil temperature while the young plant establishes, keeping the mulch clear of the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly through the first summer while the roots settle, then leave it to the weather apart from an occasional deep soak in long dry spells. After pruning, apply a native slow release fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a light prune once flowering has finished, to shape the plant and keep it dense. Stay within the leafy growth rather than cutting back into bare wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Red Desert Emu Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, leafy plant with plenty of growth ahead. Tubes are the economical way to cover a large area, and the plants spread quickly once the roots are into warm soil. Expect the first real flowering in the season after planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eGroundcovers for Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/discover-native-plants-with-red-flowers-for-your-garden\"\u003eNative plants with red flowers for your garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far will it spread?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout a metre wide and 30cm high. Plant 80cm apart for a continuous cover, or give it a full metre if you would like to see each mound as its own shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with humidity?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt prefers sun and low humidity. In humid regions it can be shorter lived, so pick a sunny, free-draining site with good airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Use a large container of free-draining mix in full sun, trim lightly after flowering and feed with a native slow release fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787216585023,"sku":"ERE-HYB-REDDES-tube","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/red-desert-emu-bush-eremophila-hybrid-red-desert.jpg?v=1792152547","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/red-desert-emu-bush-eremophila-hybrid-red-desert","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}