Eremophila glabra Kalbarri Carpet

Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ is an exceptional ground-cover bush for dry gardens in Mediterranean coastal areas. With its silvery foliage with a silky sheen and its golden-yellow flowers that brighten the garden for months, it is perfect for dressing up rockeries, slopes, and borders. Its creeping habit is useful for controlling soil erosion or creating an elegant, low-maintenance plant carpet. In colder regions, it can be grown in pots to adorn sunny terraces and balconies.

Eremophila glabra 'Kalbarri Carpet' belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. This bushy plant is native to Australia, specifically the Kalbarri region in Western Australia. This cultivar is a natural creeping form of the species Eremophila glabra. The latter is widespread in arid and semi-arid zones of Australia, extending across mainland states, where it colonises various habitats, from sandy plains to rocky slopes.

'Kalbarri Carpet' is characterised by its prostrate habit and rapid growth. The bush forms a dense, spreading carpet. At maturity, it reaches a height of around 20 cm and can spread to a width of 1 to 2 m. The stems are flexible and spread horizontally, rooting at the nodes when in contact with the soil, which enhances its density and ability to cover the ground effectively. The foliage is evergreen in winter, composed of leaves arranged alternately along the stems. The ovate to elliptical leaves measure about 4 cm in length and 1 cm in width. They have a silvery hue due to fine hairs, which also gives them a soft texture. The golden-yellow, tubular flowers measure up to 4 cm in length. They appear mainly in spring and summer, though sporadic flowering may occur in autumn and winter. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting a variety of pollinators, including nectar-feeding birds and insects. After flowering, ovoid to spherical fruits form, measuring between 4 and 9 mm in diameter. These fruits are smooth and dark brown and contain the plant's seeds.

The root system of Eremophila glabra 'Kalbarri Carpet' is fibrous and shallow, allowing it to efficiently capture moisture from light rainfall. This characteristic, combined with its ability to spread and root at the nodes along its stems, makes it valuable for soil stabilisation and erosion control in arid and semi-arid environments.

Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ can be used in rockeries, Mediterranean and xerophilous gardens, as well as a ground cover to stabilise slopes. Apart from its limited hardiness, it is a very robust plant. Its golden flowering offers a beautiful contrast with plants in purple or blue tones, such as Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’ and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’. To enhance its sculptural and natural appearance, it can be paired with ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia, which adds movement. It also makes an excellent companion for other plants adapted to arid climates, such as Westringia fruticosa ‘Smookie’. In beds, borders, or even pots on a sunny terrace, it brings a wild yet elegant touch while requiring very little maintenance.

The genus name Eremophila comes from the Greek eremos (desert) and philéô (to love). It perfectly defines this group of bushes found mainly in desert regions.