Plant Form: Evergreen shrub
Water Use: Low
Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall x 3-6 ft. wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring (Mar-May), Late Summer (Aug), Fall (Sept-Nov), Winter (Dec-Feb)
Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 25°F
Native to: Australia
Blue Emu Bush has been described as the perfect shrub: one that blooms throughout the year, thrives in hot temperatures, but handles frost, needs no pruning, and even tolerates drought. Its only potential weakness is overwatering; let it dry out between watering, giving it deep, infrequent watering once a week in the summer, twice a month in spring and fall, and once a month in winter. Avoid planting in shade. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love the nearly continual blue-violet flowers (year-round where no frost occurs), and the fuzzy foliage reflects heat to retain moisture. This plant is often mistaken for other silver-leaved “sages” like Texas Rangers that hail from the southwest U.S., but Emu Bushes are from Australia are not related. Blue Emu Bush provides vivid color and silvery foliage to contrast with dark green plants along walkways and patios, in rock gardens, cactus gardens, in containers, and most anywhere you want lasting color.
THIS MONTH IN YOUR DESERT-SMART LANDSCAPE
Rising temperatures cause changes in plants.
- Change watering schedule from mid-day to early morning or evening as weather heats up to minimize loss through evaporation.
- Maintain good mulch of organic matter covering garden soil throughout the summer to hold in moisture.
- remove (“deadhead”) spent flowers unless you want to collect seeds (such as Penstemons) to stimulate repeat blooming.