|
|
[2nd Image]
|
 |
|
|
| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Myoporaceae (Now Scrophulariaceae) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Height: 4-6 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
|
|
|
|
Eremophila maculata 'Diablo Valley' (Spotted Emu Bush) - A dense evergreen upright shrub that grows to 4 to 6 feet tall and spreads to 5 feet wide with 1 to 2 inch long lance shaped green leaves and red flowers that have with yellow spots on the throat. Plants will be in bloom throughout the year if given occasional water but more seasonally mid-winter to early spring if kept drier. Plant in full to part sun in a fairly well drained soil - can perform well in clay, but only on a slope or a mound where it drains freely. Will tolerate infrequent irrigation but more robust with occasional watering, though spread can be controlled by not overwatering. Grows well even in inland heat and cold hardy to 15° F. Flowering is on new growth so an annual pruning or even shearing can be done in late spring after flowering to maintain a neater or more formal look. A great shrub for the mediterranean climate garden. Eremophila maculata is a widespread species found in the dry areas of all mainland states of Australia. The name for the genus was derived the Greek word 'erêmos' meaning "lonely" or "desert" and 'phílos' meaning "dear" "beloved" in reference to the plants in the genus growing in arid climate locations. The specific epithet is from the Latin word meaning "spot", "stain" or "speckle". Eremophila is closely related to Myoporum and were long placed in the same family, the Myoporaceae, but this family has been absorbed into the Figwort family, the Scrophulariaceae and placed in the Myoporeae Tribe. This cultivar was a selected seedling at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA and it seems to grow taller and more upright than a form of Eremophila maculata that we grew in the early 1990s. Our original stock of this plant came from cuttings taken of Kathy Echols' plant at her Midhill Farm in February 2017. Kathy also provided the image on this page.
The information about Eremophila maculata 'Diablo Valley' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
| |
|
|
|
