Browse plants / Scrophulariaceae
Berrigan Eremophila longifolia
Also called Weeping emu bush
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, not flowering
- March, not flowering
- April, not flowering
- May, not flowering
- June, not flowering
- July, flowering
- August, flowering
- September, flowering
- October, flowering
- November, flowering
- December, flowering
Tall, weeping inland shrub with dusky red flowers, very tough in hot, dry gardens.
Found across most of mainland Australia's dry country. Its long, drooping grey-green leaves give a willowy look, and dusky pink to red flowers appear for much of the year. It suckers to form thickets, which makes it good for windbreaks and wildlife.
In the garden
- Attracts
- Birds and shelter for small wildlife
- Flowers
- Dusky pink to brick-red tubular flowers, often with spotted throats.
- Leaves
- Long, narrow, drooping grey-green leaves.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy, loam and clay
- Soil pH
- Neutral and alkaline
- Drainage
- Needs good drainage
- Frost
- Moderate frost
- Water
- Very drought tolerant
- Climate
- Arid and semi-arid, dry summers (Mediterranean) and temperate
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Cuttings
Planting
Full sun with room to spread; it suckers into small thickets. Copes with alkaline soil.
Pruning
Little pruning needed. Remove unwanted suckers at the base.
Care
Water only in long dry spells; overwatering and humid, wet soil cause root rot and leaf drop. No feeding needed.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Order
- Lamiales
- Native to
- New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia
- Natural range
- Arid and semi-arid country across mainland Australia.
Where to buy
Specialist native nurseries.
We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.
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Further reading
- Eremophila longifolia on the Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas of Living Australia)
Native nurseries near you
An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.