Eremophila Glabra 'Bev Rice'
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Bev Rice Emu Bush / Bev Rice Poverty Bush
Botanical Name: Eremophila glabra ‘Bev Rice’
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Origin: Australia (widespread native; indigenous to SA incl. Adelaide region)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub / low spreading groundcover
Overview
‘Bev Rice’ is a compact, drought-tough emu bush for South Australian gardens. It forms neat mounds of silvery to grey-green foliage and produces masses of tubular blooms from autumn through spring — colours range by clone/site from yellow to orange, sometimes appearing green-yellow in cool weather. A superb low-maintenance choice for borders, verges and coastal planting that draws in honeyeaters.
Key Features
- Mature Size: ~1 m H × 1.2–1.5 m W (spreading habit)
- Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Soft grey/grey-green leaves, often silvery; tidy, clip-responsive form
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Flowers: Tubular, nectar-rich blooms mainly autumn–spring (peak winter–spring) — yellow to orange (some forms read green-yellow)
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure with a strong winter–spring flower show (often from autumn after rain)
- Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds and insects
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; light–moderate frost; clay-tolerant (with improved drainage)
- Planting Density: Shrub borders: 1 plant per metre (dense) or 1 per 1.5 m for a looser effect
- Pet Friendly: Yes — generally regarded as non-toxic to pets; ingesting any plant may cause mild tummy upset
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best density/flowering in sun)
- Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; copes with alkaline/lime soils; avoid waterlogging
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
- Maintenance: Mulch in spring; tip-prune after flowering to keep tight; can hard-prune late winter; very responsive to pruning
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
- Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
- Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Alkaline — broadly adaptable; thrives with free drainage (tolerant of lime)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Privacy screening and boundary low hedges with a refined, uniform finish
- Mass plant on verges/medians and sunny banks for weed-suppressing cover
- Feature near entries and paths; excellent contrast with grasses and gravel
Why You Will Love It
A set-and-forget native: shimmering silver foliage, long flowering from autumn to spring, bird appeal, and first-rate drought/heat resilience — perfect for SA landscapes with minimal fuss.