Blue Bells
Eremophila hygrophana
A compact Australian shrub with stunning violet-blue blooms from fall through spring that attract hummingbirds.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; handles low-desert heat and light frost, but shelter it from severe freezes for reliable evergreen performance.
AMWUA Notes
A compact Australian shrub that needs excellent drainage far more than heavy water; long cool-season bloom on a tidy silver mound.
Care Guide
Water deeply but let it dry between soaks; despite a higher listed need, sharp drainage is essential and this Australian shrub rots quickly in soggy or clay soil.
Lightly tip-prune after the main bloom to keep the small silver-gray mound tidy; it rarely needs more than shaping and dislikes hard shearing.
Minimal feeding; too much water or fertilizer causes decline more than deficiency does.
No notable pests.
Evergreen with silvery foliage; violet-blue flowers cover it from fall through spring, providing steady cool-season hummingbird nectar.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, gritty, sharply drained mineral soils; tolerates alkaline pH but rots in rich or clay soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
From semi-hardwood cuttings; seed is difficult.
2-3 ft
Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paving.
Placement Tips
- •Small at 2 ft by 3 ft; space 2-3 ft apart as a front-of-border edger or in well-drained containers.
- •The silver foliage and blue bloom pair beautifully against warm-toned gravel and masonry.
- •Compact and low-litter, it is a tidy pool- and patio-side choice.
- •Give it full sun and gritty, fast-draining soil; keep away from overwatered zones.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Blue Bells? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
Talk to a Dream BuilderGet a Project EstimateAlready a Client?
Use this care guide to maintain your Blue Bells. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Blue Bells — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Blue Bells need in Phoenix?
Blue Bells is a low-water shrub once established. Water deeply but let it dry between soaks; despite a higher listed need, sharp drainage is essential and this Australian shrub rots quickly in soggy or clay soil. A compact Australian shrub that needs excellent drainage far more than heavy water; long cool-season bloom on a tidy silver mound.
How big does Blue Bells get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2-3 ft of spacing when planting. Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paving.
Can you plant Blue Bells near a pool?
Yes. Blue Bells is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Blue Bells handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Blue Bells is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; handles low-desert heat and light frost, but shelter it from severe freezes for reliable evergreen performance. Evergreen with silvery foliage; violet-blue flowers cover it from fall through spring, providing steady cool-season hummingbird nectar.
Does Blue Bells have thorns?
No. Blue Bells is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Blue Bells safe around pets?
Blue Bells is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Blue Bells bloom in Arizona?
Blue Bells blooms in fall-spring, with violet-blue flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Blue Bells need?
Blue Bells is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Lightly tip-prune after the main bloom to keep the small silver-gray mound tidy; it rarely needs more than shaping and dislikes hard shearing.
What kind of soil does Blue Bells need?
Lean, gritty, sharply drained mineral soils; tolerates alkaline pH but rots in rich or clay soil. It needs no supplemental feeding. Minimal feeding; too much water or fertilizer causes decline more than deficiency does.
Is Blue Bells native to Arizona?
No. Blue Bells is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Australia, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.