gardening
Eucalypts for the home garden
words by
kristee semmler // the barossa nursery
Gum trees are an iconic Australian tree that pepper the landscape throughout Australia, from our snow-capped mountains to the arid red centre. There are approximately 900 different types of Eucalypts in Australia with varying shapes and sizes. When you look around and see giants like the River Red Gum that line our local creeks, you can be easily mistaken to think gum trees are too big to grow in the average garden.
However, there are a great range of smaller gums that can be grown in home gardens as feature trees that can add interest and form.
Some of my favourite Eucalyptus for home gardens are listed below:
Eucalyptus caesia
Also known as ‘Silver Princess’, Eucalyptus caesia is a beautiful, ornamental tree that can grown up to six to eight metres in height.
It has an elegant and gentle weeping habit which makes it a real feature. Large pink to red flowers with little yellow stamens are produced in Winter/Spring which are real show stoppers.
The flowers are followed by large urn shaped gum nuts. Eucalyptus Silver Princess also has ornamental bark which peels in curling strips, revealing a lighter bark underneath. Bird and bee attracting, Eucalyptus Silver Princess is a striking addition to the garden.
Eucalyptus synandra
Eucalyptus synandra has simply stunning flowers. Gorgeous pink buds open to a rich cream and then age into a deep pink. The foliage on this Eucalypt is fairly fine and slightly weeping in habit. Together with its lovely flowers, it has an elegant appearance.
Eucalypt synandra generally grows around three to five metres tall and has a multi stemmed habit (mallee). It’s an ideal specimen tree in any native garden.
Eucalyptus pleurocarpa
Commonly known as Tallerack (and formally known as Eucalyptus tetragona). Tallerack grows two to three metres tall and has a spreading mallee habit, however, it responds well to pruning so can be shaped and trained into a contrasting bushy shrub.
It has stunning, large, blue green waxy white leaves and large buds which make excellent cut flowers or offer a great addition and contrast in a native flower arrangement.
The flowers are a creamy white, appearing mainly in Summer.
Tip: this Eucalyptus can suffer from caterpillar damage on occasion, so keep an eye out for any eggs or caterpillar activity and spray as necessary. If you like to dabble in floral art, in particular native cut flowers, this one is a must!
Eucalyptus erythrocorys
Also known as Red Cap Gum, this is an outstanding small gum to approximately three to five metres in height. As its name suggests, the large, highly ornamental gum nut buds have a bright red cap before the flowers open into large eye-catching yellow blossoms in Autumn. The decorative trunk along with the dark green leaves also add to this tree’s appeal. The flowers and gum nuts can be used in floral displays or craft. A great tree for the home garden or road verge.
Eucalyptus pulverulanta
Commonly known as ‘Baby Blue’ has stunning silver-blue, rounded foliage. This is another must have Eucalypt for cut flowers and is often used in the florist industry. Its foliage makes the perfect contrast, both in a vase and in the garden. It generally grows around three to four metres in height, but can be kept smaller with pruning (and responds well to pruning). A great tree for smaller gardens.
Smaller growing Gum trees such as those listed above can be beautiful and functional additions to the garden. They can provide shade, a showy flower and foliage display and attract birds to your garden, making them a real winner, especially in native gardens.
It is important to remember to take into account the established height and width when choosing a planting site (for any tree), so it can grow to its full potential without damage to other plants, paths or pipes.
With great smaller options such as these, it’s easy to add that iconic Australian look to your garden.
“Give me a home among the Gum trees” John Williamson
Happy Gardening!
Kristee Semmler
THE BAROSSA NURSERY
If you have any good gardening old wive’s tales, feel free to share them by leaving a comment online on the Barossa Mag’s website.
I do love hearing a good tale!
In the meantime, happy gardening!