Eremophila nivea – A Beautiful, Silver-Foliaged Shrub with Stunning Purple Flowers
Eremophila nivea is a captivating Australian native shrub known for its striking silver-grey foliage and eye-catching purple flowers. This hardy, low-maintenance plant is perfect for adding texture, colour, and contrast to a range of garden styles, from drought-tolerant landscapes to wildlife gardens. With its vibrant blooms and attractive silvery leaves, Eremophila nivea is a versatile choice for gardeners seeking a visually appealing and resilient shrub.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
-
Spring/Summer: In late spring and summer, Eremophila nivea produces showy clusters of tubular, deep purple to violet flowers. These blooms contrast beautifully against the plant's silvery, lance-shaped leaves. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
-
Autumn: As the season changes, the foliage retains its stunning silver-grey hue, providing a steady source of texture and colour. While flowering slows, the plant’s shape and colour continue to add interest to the landscape.
-
Winter: Eremophila nivea is an evergreen shrub, meaning its silvery foliage remains intact throughout winter. Its compact form and attractive leaves make it an excellent plant for adding structure and interest during the colder months.
Structure & Form
Eremophila nivea is a compact, bushy shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–1.5m (3–5ft) and a similar spread. It has a rounded, dense habit with narrow, silvery leaves that are soft to the touch. The flowers, arranged in clusters at the tips of the branches, add vibrant purple colour to the plant. This shrub’s dense, compact form makes it an ideal choice for borders, mass plantings, or as a low-maintenance hedge.
Ideal for Various Landscapes
-
Drought-Tolerant Gardens: As a native Australian plant, Eremophila nivea is well-suited to dry and arid conditions. It thrives in gardens where water conservation is a priority, making it perfect for xeriscaping or water-wise landscaping.
-
Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens: The striking purple flowers of Eremophila nivea attract a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It’s an excellent choice for gardens that aim to support local wildlife while providing vibrant colour.
-
Coastal & Low-Maintenance Gardens: Eremophila nivea is highly adaptable and can tolerate poor, dry soils, making it a perfect addition to coastal gardens, as well as other low-maintenance and salt-tolerant landscapes.
-
Containers & Small Gardens: Its compact size makes it well-suited to container planting, where its silvery foliage and purple flowers can add year-round interest. It’s also an excellent plant for small gardens, providing a burst of colour without overwhelming the space.
Growing Conditions & Care
-
Position: Eremophila nivea thrives in full sun, which encourages its best flowering and helps to maintain its compact growth habit. It can tolerate partial shade but may not flower as profusely in shadier conditions.
-
Soil: This plant is very adaptable and grows well in a variety of soil types, including well-drained sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils. It is tolerant of poor soils and is particularly suited to dry, rocky, or coastal areas.
-
Hardiness: Eremophila nivea is highly drought-tolerant once established and is hardy to moderate frost. Its resistance to salt also makes it suitable for coastal gardens exposed to wind and sea spray.
-
Maintenance: Eremophila nivea is a low-maintenance shrub that requires minimal care. It benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and remove any dead or spent flowers. Light pruning after flowering can help encourage a more compact habit and improve flowering the following year. As a drought-tolerant plant, it requires little watering once established, making it perfect for water-wise gardens.
Why Choose Eremophila nivea?
Eremophila nivea is a stunning, low-maintenance shrub that combines striking purple flowers with silver-grey foliage, creating a beautiful contrast in any garden. Its adaptability to dry, poor soils and low-water conditions, along with its attractiveness to pollinators, make it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Whether you're designing a wildlife garden, a coastal landscape, or a drought-tolerant border, Eremophila nivea is a versatile and resilient plant that will thrive with minimal care.
Perfect Plant Combinations
-
Other Australian Natives – Pair with other Australian natives such as Grevillea, Callistemon, or Hakea for a vibrant, textured display with plants that share similar drought-tolerant characteristics.
-
Wildlife & Pollinator Plants – Combine with Salvia, Lavender, or Echinacea for additional colour and pollinator attraction, creating a diverse garden that supports bees, butterflies, and birds.
-
Low-Maintenance Shrubs – Pair with Liriope, Phormium (New Zealand Flax), or Correa for a striking, hardy garden that requires minimal care and offers year-round beauty.
-
Groundcovers & Perennials – Underplant with drought-tolerant groundcovers like Eremophila species or Agapanthus to create a full, textured landscape with complementary plants.
Eremophila nivea is a striking, low-maintenance shrub that offers both beauty and resilience. Its silvery foliage, purple flowers, and wildlife-friendly qualities make it a perfect addition to a variety of garden types, from coastal and wildlife gardens to water-wise landscapes. With minimal care, it will thrive and add lasting beauty to your outdoor space.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
