Eutaxia Obovata Nana
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Dwarf Beacon / Egg Plant / Egg and Bacon Plant
Botanical Name: Eutaxia obovata nana
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Western Australia, Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (dwarf)
Overview
A compact Aussie native with masses of two-toned “egg-and-bacon” pea flowers. Eutaxia obovata nana forms a dense, tidy mound of fine green foliage and bursts into lightly fragrant yellow blooms with red-brown markings from late winter through spring (often edging into early summer). Tough, low-water and coastal-capable — perfect for borders, low hedges, rockeries and pots in South Australian gardens.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.3–1.0 m H × 0.4–1.2 m W (naturally compact)
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Fine, evergreen mid- to deep-green leaves; dense, clip-responsive habit (new growth can flush lime; may bronze lightly in winter)
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Flowers: Two-toned yellow with orange/red-brown “keel”; lightly fragrant; long-lasting display
- Seasonal Interest: Peak late winter–spring, with displays often extending to early summer after rain/heat breaks
- Wildlife Value: Nectar and pollen attract bees and other pollinators; dense habit offers small-critter shelter
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, clay-tolerant (with drainage), second-line coastal-tolerant; light–moderate frost
- Planting Density: Shrub borders/low hedge: 3–4 plants per metre (tight); Mass planting: 3–5 plants per m² for a full carpet. (Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape.)
- Pet Friendly: Yes — generally regarded as non-toxic to cats/dogs; as with any plant, large ingestions may cause mild tummy upset.
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best flowering in sun)
- Soil: Well-drained sand or loam; handles clay/loam/sand with drainage; avoid waterlogging. Use low-phosphorus native fertiliser
- 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; lightly prune after flowering; feed with a low-P native fertiliser in early spring
- Lifespan: 10–15+ years (often refreshed by new basal shoots)
- Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
- Soil pH: Acid to Neutral; avoid highly alkaline/limestone soils unless drainage is excellent
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Low hedge or edging along paths and borders
- Mass plant for a cheerful spring carpet with lomandra, westringia & other water-wise natives
- Rockery and pots where compact form and long bloom shine
Why You Will Love It
A small, showy native that puts on months of cheerful colour with minimal water or fuss. Easy to clip, great in tight spaces, bee-friendly, and built for SA’s coastal/Mediterranean conditions — a high-conversion hero for low-maintenance gardens.