Our February Plant of the Month blog features a plant description from a recently revised book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr! In his book, Greg features 150 water-smart choices for the Southwest – it’s no wonder why we like the book so much here at Water – Use It Wisely! He includes a fun category of the “Etymology” or the origin of the scientific name, as well as “Field Notes” he has taken (and somehow kept track of) that describe where he found or has observed the plants growing in habitat. We thought this was the perfect month to feature a plant that blooms in February and has common names at the nursery like Valentine Emu and Outback Cupid.
And, Greg just published another great book, Cool Cacti and Succulents for Hot Gardens. Learn how to get copies of both books directly from the author below.
Spotted Emu Bush, Eremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia
(You may find this shrub at Arizona nurseries as ‘Valentine Emu’ or ‘Outback Cupid’)
AT-A-GLANCE

Attracts bees and hummingbirds.
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Etymology
The species name is derived from the Latin maculat-, which means spotted and refers to the spots on the inside of the flower.
Field Notes
Eremophila maculata is widespread in Australia, and the subspecies commonly grown in southern Arizona nurseries is found primarily in the state of Western Australia. Information is scarce but this is known to grow in low-lying areas that are subject to occasional flooding.
Description
Come late winter these dense, tidy, evergreen shrubs will erupt with an incredible flower display that generally peaks around Valentine’s Day. Plants will grow to 4-6 feet tall and 4-8 feet across and stay naturally dense, reducing the need for heavy pruning. Small dark green leaves are about ¾-inch-long and provide the perfect backdrop for the 1 ½-inch-long dark carmine-red flowers. The flowers appear to be a magnet for hummingbirds seeking sips of nectar held deep within the tube.


Culture
Plants grow best in full sun in the hot low elevation desert southwest and can withstand reflected heat in the Tucson area if they are watered sufficiently in late spring and summer. Plants have proven hardy to 17° F and are reliable in USDA zones 8b-11. Spotted Emu Bush prefers a soil with very good drainage to prevent roots from rotting. They are drought tolerant but will flower more profusely if given supplemental water but not so much as to keep the root zone soggy wet. Shrubs are naturally dense and do not require any pruning because the growth can be controlled by amount and frequency of supplemental watering.
Identification
The combination of tiny leaves and dark carmine red flowers separate Eremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia from other species in cultivation.
Landscape Application

Plants produce a spectacular late-winter flowering show for those who flock to the desert southwest when the temperatures up north drop like an anchor and then flee when it heats up in summer. This Australian native has proven itself worthy of a spot in most any xeric southwestern U.S. desert landscape. They are not fussy about who they hang out with and will comingle with other low-water-using plants. A selection of small trees to mix with would include Acacia constricta (newly classified to Vachellia constricta), Acacia willardiana (newly classified to Mariosousa willardiana), Bauhinia lunarioides, and Eysenhardtia orthocarpa. The carmine-red flowers would match up nicely with the violet-purple flowers of Eremophila hygrophana and yellow-flowered Encelia farinosa. Shrubs can be used to soften the rigid looks of stately accent plants such as Agave parryi, Fouquieria splendens, or Yucca rostrata.
Precautions
Plants are generally carefree if planted in a soil with excellent drainage so the roots are not kept too wet. Please keep the pruning shears and hedge trimmers in their cases.
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Did you know that up to 70 percent of water use is outdoors? That’s why we love desert plants and feature them each month. It’s still a great time to plant non-tropical plants in your landscape, and you can learn more about Emu Bush and other plants on our Arizona Low-Water-Use Plants page. Visit our page on Choosing and Planting Low Water-Use Plants for tips on plant selection and how to plant properly. Also, be sure to read through all of our featured Plant of the Month blogs!
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Water – Use It Wisely is proud to feature guest bloggers who write about topics related to water and water conservation. Greg Starr is a horticulturist and the owner/manager of Starr Nursery located in Tucson, AZ. It is a mail order nursery where you can shop online. Greg has traveled extensively in Mexico and the southwestern United States to study native plants for their potential landscape use in desert regions of the world. In 2009, Greg entered the world of literature as an author with the publication Cool Plants for Hot Gardens. This book is now revised in its second edition publishing in December of 2021. His latest book, Cool Cacti and Succulents for Hot Gardens published in October 2024. Both books are available online.
Photos by Donna DiFrancesco and Kirti Mathura