Introduction    /   eucalyptus   /     9 Roma   /     13   Roma     /   Wetland

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SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED EUCALYPTS
FOR HOME GARDENS in the ACT

Eucalypt clad hills provide the backdrop to Canberra’s suburbs. They possess a subtle beauty seen in the changing bark colour and their asymmetrical form. Species like Eucalyptus mannifera (Brittle Gum) are used extensively as a street tree. The white trunks of these elegant trees lining the entry to our city are unforgettable.

At times, Eucalypts have suffered a poor reputation in Canberra. Many specimens were planted during the 1960s and 1970s in the heyday of native gardens. They quickly overshadowed and out-competed plants around them, often growing to 15 metres plus. Large specimens have unexpectedly dropped limbs resulting in injury and death and damage to property. Some residents dislike their messiness – they shed leaves and drop bark and other mess onto paving and lawns.

Plant breeders and nurseries now offer a selection of plants that are more suited to the scale of residential gardens. Many of them, particularly the mallee forms (Eucalypts with multiple trunks) are suitable for Canberra’s gardens, growing to a maximum height of eight metres. They tend to have relatively light canopies compared to Eucalyptus globulus (along Anzac Parade) and Eucalyptus cinerea.

Small to medium sized Eucalyptus can provide a number of benefits in our gardens, such as:

• provide a visual link to the natural hills surrounding Canberra,
• provide habitat for native birds and insects,
• most Eucalypts require low water needs once established
• low nutrient needs
• suitable for placing on the western sides of buildings to provide protection from hot Summer sun and drying winds
• provide vertical interest in the landscape
• provide a light canopy under which part-shade or shade tolerant shrubs and groundcovers can be grown
• provide subtle seasonal interest, such as bark changing colour or moulting, coloured new stem growth (sometimes red) and flower colour and scent

Three small to moderate sized Eucalyptus species have been used in the North Watson display gardens. These are:

• Eucalyptus mannifera ‘Patches’: A dwarf form of E. mannifera (which occurs locally in the ACT). This small slender tree grows to around 8 metres in height with single or multiple white trunks. The flowers are creamy white. E. mannifera ‘Patches’ has low water needs once established.
  
• E. leucoxylon dwarf ‘Magnet’: A small eucalypt with a light open canopy and slender leaves. It grows to approximately 6 metres high with a spread ranging from 3-5 metres. It bears deep pink flowers.
  
• E. pauciflora: This locally occurring Eucalypt grows naturally in mountainous and sub-alpine areas in the ACT. It reaches about 15 metres with a spread of 12m. The trunks are white with red new growth and large glaucous leaves identifiable by their parallel veins. Flowers are creamy white. This eucalypt is less drought hardy than many other eucalypts.

Other Eucalyptus suitable for use in home gardens include:

• E. curtisii: Small slender tree with mallee habit with creamy white flowers. Grows from 3-7 metres high with a spread of 3-5 metres wide.

• E. gregsoniana: An attractive mallee which forms
  single or multiple trunks with creamy white bark. New growth is a reddish colour like Eucalyptus pauciflora. Leaves are grey-green whilst flowers are white. This tree grows to around 5 metres high and 4 metres wide. This tree is suitable for planting underneath power lines.

• E. moorei: A small tree growing 3-7metres in
  Height with a spread of around
  1-4 metres. It bears narrow grey-green leaves and white flowers in March/April and enjoys moist soils.

Edwina Richardson (Environment/Research Officer AILA and Brittle Gum Design)

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For more species suitable for the Canberra Region refer to:

Society for Growing Australian Plants Canberra Region Inc. (2003) Australian plants for Canberra Region Gardens & other cool climate areas, Society for Growing Australian Plants Canberra Region.

To see a mature specimen visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton. Link www.anbg.gov.au

Society for Growing Australian Plants, Species Guide >> click here