EREMOPHILA freelingii 250g

Eremophila freelingii is a small to medium shrub with branches which are covered with white hairs. The leaves are mostly elliptic to lance-shaped, 35–80 mm (1–3 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide.

Purple flowers are borne either singly or in groups of up to 3 in leaf axils on a stalk 8–40 mm (0.3–2 in) long. Flowering occurs throughout the year but most commonly from August to November.

Occurs naturally in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

Adaptable to a variety of well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought and frost resistant.

Grow notes:

Propagation from the seed of Eremophila species can be tricky as the seed is small and contained in a woody fruit. One method is to carefully split the fruits into halves and then quarters to exact the seed.

The following method of extracting seeds has been reported as being effective:

1. Place the dried fruits in a small engineer's vice (one with the metal jaws) such that either end of the nut is pressed against the jaws (use forceps to align the fruit, if necessary).
2. Tighten the vice until the nut cracks - usually the seeds will drop out intact.

Seed can then be sown by normal seed-raising methods. The optimum germinating temperature is around 18-22°C

1. Sow seed on the surface of a porous seed-raising mix. The seed will lodge in the pores of the mix once watered.
2. Sprinkle a very light covering of the seed-raising mix over the seed if required to hold the seed in place. Do not bury the seed deeply.
3. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.

Germination time can vary from 21 days to several months.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they are discarded.