‘Outback Sunrise’ emu is an evergreen ground cover that’s blanketed with tubular yellow flowers in the spring. Here’s how to plant and care for this extremely low-maintenance cultivar of an Australian native.
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu (Eremophila glabra ‘Mingenew Gold’) is a sprawling ground cover with small, bright leaves that forms an expanse of emerald green.
Small tubular yellow flowers that look like mini lipstick tubes appear in late winter when not much else is blooming. This makes it a welcome sight in your garden for you and for hungry hummingbirds. These tubular flowers continue to cover the plant for the next few months and pop up occasionally throughout spring and summer.
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu’s genus name Eremophila means “desert-loving.” It’s native to the deserts of Australia and likewise thrives in the deserts of the US. It’s unfazed by our blazing sun, poor soil, temperature extremes, and drought.
Other than needing occasional supplemental water, this plant is undemanding and virtually takes care of itself, and yet it is a standout all year long.
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu is resistant to being eaten by rabbits. This is a concern in the desert Southwest, but is a critical issue in Australia, which has a serious rabbit problem.
Why I Like This Plant
- Charming yellow flowers bloom early
- Evergreen emerald green foliage
- Grows fast
- Low water use, virtually maintenance-free
- No pruning or deadheading needed to stay tidy
- Attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
Here’s what it looks like when not in bloom.
Things to Watch Out For
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu is a low-growing but woody groundcover that does not tolerate foot traffic.
It can grow up to 10′ across, so don’t plant it where it won’t have room to spread.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding an ‘Outback Sunrise’ emu to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11. It thrives in desert heat, even in the hottest places, like along roadsides in Phoenix. It’s cold-hardy down to 15℉ and stays green all winter.
Sun Exposure
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu thrives in full sun, even the reflected sun off of sidewalks, driveways, or walls. But it will also grow in part shade, and is quite happy in the dappled shade under a tree.
Size and Growth Rate
‘Outback Sunrise’ may be a little slow to get started, but ultimately turns into a fast-growing ground cover that stays 1 to 2 feet tall, but can eventually cover an area 10 feet across. Give it plenty of room to spread so you don’t have to prune it to keep the size in check and risk ruining its natural form.
To control its size, it’s recommended that you limit the amount of water it receives instead of frequent pruning.
Soil
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu is not picky about soil as long as it’s well-draining. It will grow in clay and is tolerant of alkaline desert soil.
Other Location Considerations
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu is a good choice for planting on banks, hills, or berms where it can spread with abandon.
‘Outback Sunrise’ Emu:
The Essentials
| Common Name | ‘Outback Sunrise’ emu |
| Scientific Name | Eremophila glabra ‘Mingenew Gold’ |
| Origin | Australia (cultivar) |
| Plant Type | Evergreen ground cover |
| USDA Zones | Zones 8 – 11 |
| Cold Hardy | To 15℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Season | Late winter, spring |
| Mature Size | 1’ tall x 10’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, reflected, part sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests/Diseases | Root rot if overwatered |
| Garden friendly | No thorns, litter-free |
| Wildlife | Attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies Rabbit resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any ground cover in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant ‘Outback Sunrise’ is in the fall. This gives it three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives it time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for ‘Outback Sunrise’ Emu
Whether you’ve recently planted a sunrise emu or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
The University of Arizona recommends watering newly planted, low water use ground covers on this schedule.
| Weeks 1 – 4 | Every 2 – 3 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
Give your emu about ½ gallon with each watering.
After that, you can water it on this schedule:
| Spring (March – May) | 10 – 14 days |
| Summer (May – Oct.) | 7 – 10 days |
| Fall (Oct. – Dec.) | 10 – 14 days |
| Winter (Dec – March) | 14 – 21 days |
As it grows, it will need more water with each watering, depending on its diameter. Use this chart as a guide.
| 1′ diameter | .5 gallons |
| 2′ diameter | 2 gallons |
| 3′ diameter | 3.5 gallons |
| 4′ diameter | 5 gallons |
| 5′ diameter | 7 gallons |
| 6’+ diameter | 9 gallons |
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize this plant. It’s a tough desert survivor that normally grows in poor, rocky soil.
How to Prune
If you plant ‘Outback Sunrise’ in an adequately roomy location, you should rarely have to prune it. You may occasionally need to remove a dead or damaged branch, or one that is growing out of bounds.
If you do any pruning, wait until after it’s done blooming in the spring. You don’t want to cut off its beautiful flowers.
This plant cleans itself of its spent flowers and doesn’t need deadheading to stay tidy.
It’s best to prune it as little as possible, since pruning can ruin its naturally sprawling form. To control its size, it’s recommended that you limit the amount of water it receives instead.
Don’t Confuse Sunrise Emu With…
Winter blaze emu (Eremophila glabra ‘Winter Blaze’) is another cultivar of Eremophila glabra. But it grows as a shrub 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide and has red tubular flowers.
When shopping for ‘Outback Sunrise’ emu, you may come across a plant with the same common name that looks identical, but is labeled as Eremophila prostata. No worries, it’s the same plant. According to the Australian Native Plant Society, E. prostata and E. glabra are the same plant — E. prostata is an error in labeling that sometimes occurs with US growers.
Plant Lover Facts
‘Outback Sunrise’ emu’s scientific name is Eremophila glabra ‘Mingenew Gold’.
Eremophila glabra is a widespread species found in the dry areas of all mainland states of Australia. ‘Mingenew Gold’ is a natural form found in the town of Mingenew in Western Australia.
The genus Eremophila is derived from the Greek words eremos (desert) and philos (loving), and means “desert loving.”
The Eremophila genus consists of approximately 250 species widely distributed in the arid regions of Australia. Multiple Eremophila species have been used as traditional medicines by the indigenous people of Australia. Some species, including E. glabra, have been found to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and/or anti-inflammatory properties.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for over 16 years.
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