Winter Gold Emu Bush

Winter Gold Emu Bush (Eremophila maculata 'Winter Gold') is a tough, adaptable native shrub about 1.5m tall and 1m wide, with tiny green leaves and soft yellow tubular flowers, often freckled inside, mainly in winter and spring. It loves the dry air and sun of inland gardens, but is happy in clay or sandy soil, and it is frost and drought tolerant once established.

Why you'll love it

• Yellow flowers in winter. Soft yellow tubes open mainly in winter and spring, and the odd one appears through the year.
• Adaptable. It grows in clay or sand, in alkaline or slightly acidic soil, which gives you plenty of flexibility.
• Tough once established. Frost and drought tolerant, with a neat, upright habit of 1.5m by 1m.
• Fits a cottage look. The fine leaves and soft colour sit comfortably in cottage gardens and mixed borders.
• Made for dry air and sun. Inland gardens with bright sun and low humidity suit it best.

Where it works best

Mixed borders. Plant 1m apart in a sunny border, where its winter flowers come in when summer bloomers are done.

Cottage gardens. Plant it with soft-textured perennials and silver foliage plants for a relaxed, informal planting with native toughness.

Inland and dry gardens. It handles low humidity and strong sun, and does not need much attention once settled.

Growing Winter Gold Emu Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and low humidity suit it, and it loves the dry air and sun of inland gardens. It tolerates frost and drought once established. It is most at home in Mediterranean, arid and semi-arid, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and in humid regions it should have the sunniest, best-drained position you have.

Soil. It grows in clay or sand, in alkaline or slightly acidic soil. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and even out soil temperature while the young plant settles.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer, then let it manage on rainfall in all but long dry spells. After pruning, feed with a native slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. A light prune once flowering has finished will help give the plant shape. Trim only the soft tips and avoid cutting back into bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

Winter Gold Emu Bush is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small, leafy plant that spends its first season building roots and a framework. Plant it in warm soil, and flowering follows as the plant matures.

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

• More Australian native plants
• Plants for dry and arid climates
• Native plants with yellow flowers
• Frost hardy plants

Common questions

When does Winter Gold flower?

Mainly in winter and spring, with occasional flowers through the year. The soft yellow tubes are often freckled inside.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. It tolerates frost and drought once established, which makes it a good choice for inland and colder dry gardens.

Can I grow it in clay?

Yes. It grows in clay or sandy soil, as long as the water does not sit around its roots for long periods.