Red Eremophila

Name: Red Eremophila
Brand: Outdoor Dream Builders

Eremophila maculata

A compact Australian shrub that attracts hummingbirds and adapts well to Arizona desert conditions.

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; tolerant of low-desert heat and light frost but best protected from hard freezes below the mid-20s.

AMWUA Notes

A moderate-water Australian shrub that demands excellent drainage; long hummingbird bloom with minimal maintenance.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Moderate but drainage-critical; water deeply every 10-14 days in summer and let the soil dry between soaks, since this Australian shrub rots in wet or heavy soil.

✂️Pruning

Tip-prune lightly after bloom to maintain a compact mound; avoid hard shearing and it seldom needs more than a shaping touch.

🌱Fertilizing

Little fertilizer needed; it is adapted to lean, mineral soils.

🛡️Pests

Free of significant pests.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Evergreen, carrying spotted tubular flowers heaviest in late winter and spring with scattered bloom through the year; hummingbirds work the flowers.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

Lean, gritty, sharply drained mineral soils; tolerates alkaline pH but rots in rich or clay soil.

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

From semi-hardwood cuttings; seed is difficult.

📐Spacing

3-4 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paving.

Placement Tips

•Compact at 4 ft; space 3-4 ft apart as a foundation or low informal hedge shrub.
•Suits Mediterranean and desert-modern designs with sharp drainage, such as raised beds and slopes.
•Low litter and clean habit make it pool-friendly.
•Plant in full sun and avoid overwatered turf-adjacent zones where it will decline.