Eutaxia obovata

Common Eutaxia / Egg-and-Bacon Bush

Botanical Name: Eutaxia obovata
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Australia (southern Australia, including SA)
Plant Type: Evergreen low shrub

Overview

Perfectly adapted to Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, Eutaxia obovata is a compact, hardy Australian native shrub valued for its bright yellow and orange “egg-and-bacon” pea flowers that appear mainly from late winter through spring. Naturally occurring across South Australia in dry woodland and scrub, it thrives in heat, low rainfall and poor soils, making it an excellent choice for waterwise and native gardens. Its dense, rounded habit and fine grey-green foliage provide neat year-round structure, while the vivid flowers bring cheerful colour when many plants are still dormant. Tough, long-lived and low maintenance, Eutaxia obovata is ideal for borders, rockeries and mixed native plantings.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–1.2 m W (compact, rounded shrub)
• Growth Rate: 15–30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Small, obovate grey-green leaves; foliage may take on subtle silvery or olive tones in dry or exposed conditions
• Flowers: Bright yellow pea flowers with orange markings (“egg-and-bacon” style), mainly late winter to spring
  
• Fragrance: Not fragrant
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage year-round with a strong late winter–spring flowering display
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract native bees and other beneficial insects
• Tolerance: Very drought tolerant once established; excellent heat tolerance; wind tolerant; suited to inland and coastal SA (second-line); light frost hardy; dislikes waterlogged soils
• Planting Density: Mass planting or borders: 1 plant per 1–1.5 m²; informal low hedge: space 1–1.2 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering and compact growth; tolerates light part shade
• Soil: Free-draining sandy, loamy or gravelly soils; performs well in poor, rocky and mildly alkaline soils common in Adelaide
• Water Needs: Establishment: 1–2 deep soaks/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: very low water needs; occasional deep watering during extended dry periods only
• Maintenance: Very low; light prune after flowering if shaping is needed; avoid heavy fertilising—no feeding required in most soils
• Lifespan: 15–25+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate SA — Adelaide Plains, hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline; tolerant of limestone soils

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Native and waterwise gardens requiring reliable winter–spring colour
• Rockeries, embankments and gravel gardens
• Low informal hedging or border planting
• Mixed native beds with Grevillea, Westringia, Correa and Lomandra

Why You Will Love It

Eutaxia obovata is a tough, cheerful native that thrives where many plants struggle. With its bright winter–spring flowers, neat evergreen form and outstanding drought tolerance, it’s an easy-care choice for Adelaide gardens seeking colour, resilience and authentic South Australian character.