Flowering from late winter into spring, Eutaxia obovata is a small evergreen native shrub. It is grown for the colourful yellow and orange to red flowers and green foliage.
It is the outer yellow and the inner red to brown flower colour that gives it the common name of ‘Egg and Bacon Plant’. The flowers are fragrant, however only slightly.
With a natural bushy and mounding habit, the foliage is a mid to deep green and attractive through the year. The flowers are pea like, and are brightly coloured, putting on a great display over a long period.
The species itself will reach around 2 metres in height and spread to around 2 metres.
Two forms are available, the species which will reach over 1m in height as well as Eutaxia obovata ‘nana’, a lower growing variety to around .6 metre. The lower growing form is more suited to a range of landscaping applications, especially where a lower growing plant is required.
Also known as the ‘Egg and Bacon Plant’ is good condition the plant will be covered in masses of flowers when in full bloom.
Landscaping uses
Use the lower growing variety as a small feature plant in the garden, or as a border plant. The taller growing variety can be used as an informal hedging plant, or low screening plant.
The very attractive flowers also make it suited for use as a feature plant in a native garden or there general garden border.
It can be planted in the perennial border where its evergreen habit provides structure through the year.
Eutaxia obovata Care
A well drained soil is essential,Eutaxia obovata grows best in a slightly acidic soil with a position in full sun, however it is better in a position where it gets some shade from the hot afternoon sun..
This is a plant that can be pruned lightly directly after flowering to maintain a more bushy and compact habit.
Mulch around the plant to keep a cool root run and retain some moisture.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Eutaxia obovata
- Common Name – Egg and Bacon Plant
- Origins – Western Australia
- Position – Full Sun to Partial Shade.
- Moisture – Well drained humus rich soil, regarded as relatively drought tolerant once established if given a little afternoon shade.
- Growth Habit – Mounding small shrub, dense foliage.
- Foliage Colour – Mid to deep Green
- Flower Colour – Yellow and Orange
- Flowering time – Winter into spring.
- Frost Tolerant – Yes, light frosts only.
- Height – To 1.5 metre to 2m – E. obovata ‘nana’ 60 cm to 1 metre.
- Spread -To 1.5 metre – E. obovata ‘nana’ To 60 cm plus
- Pruning – Light pruning only immediately after flowering