Bignonia Emu Bush Plant Care
Eremophila bignoniiflora (Benth.) F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eremophila bignoniiflora, commonly known as Bignonia emu bush, creek wilga, dogwood, and river argee is a plant in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the Northern Territory and all mainland states of Australia. It is also used by various Aboriginal Australian groups as bush medicine, and known as eurah or eura (Kamilaroi), gooramurra (Jingulu), and kurumbimi (Mudburra).
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Bignonia Emu Bush?
Plant Bignonia Emu Bush in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Bignonia Emu Bush Native To?
What Is the Bignonia Emu Bush?
Bignonia Emu Bush (Eremophila bignoniiflora) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Eremophila genus. Bignonia Emu Bush is native to the Northern Territory and all mainland states of Australia. Bignonia Emu Bush is also known as Bignonia Eremophila, River Mallee.
Bignonia Emu Bush displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Bignonia Emu Bush produces tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Water a young or newly planted Bignonia Emu Bush every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Bignonia Emu Bush Need?
Bignonia Emu Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bignonia Emu Bush Prefer?
Eremophila bignoniiflora tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Bignonia Emu Bush prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Bignonia Emu Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Feed Bignonia Emu Bush every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Bignonia Emu Bush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Bignonia Emu Bush can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Prune Bignonia Emu Bush while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Bignonia Emu Bush in Winter?
Bignonia Emu Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Bignonia Emu Bush?
Bignonia Emu Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to eremophila plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bignonia Emu Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bignonia Emu Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bignonia Emu Bush?
Bignonia Emu Bush is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bignonia Emu Bush Need?
Bignonia Emu Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bignonia Emu Bush is native to the Northern Territory and all mainland states of Australia. In cooler regions, grow Bignonia Emu Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bignonia Emu Bush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Eremophila genus — compare its care with other Eremophila species on PlantoScan.
Eremophila is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.
Bignonia Emu Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eremophila Species
Other Eremophila species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eremophila bignoniiflora (Benth.) F.Muell., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Pap. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania 3: 294 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bignonia Emu Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
