Ornamental gum trees for small gardens

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 10

Ornamental gum trees for small gardens

GARDENING

by

Mike Lusty

The paucity of eucalypts (gum trees) in garden centres and private gardens suggests they have lost favour. But I believe they may have fallen into disrepute. This could have been created by bad selection due to misleading advice about their ultimate height. Eucalypts are unusually responsive to good growing conditions, such as they encounter here, and they make greater and more rapid development than in the tougher environment from which they originate.

There are quite a few small growing species which mature at five to six metres or even less. Some of these are extremely ornamental with very attractive foliage, bark, buds, fruit and flowers.

Unfortunately, many of the most beautifully floriferous ones are not hardy enough for general planting and their selection must be confined to the hills and more sheltered, reasonably frost free areas.

In order to develop and promote more of the

smaller growing ornamental Eucalyptus species, the (Australian based) Society for Growing Australian Plants has recently formed another study group. This should eventually prove very helpful to everyone with an interest in these trees. One of the more hardy ornamental eucalypts is E. landsdowneana, a South Australian species from the Gawler Ranges. This can develop either as a tree, or as a mallee which means that it can produce several stems from its basal lignotuber.

Flower colour varies but apart from creamy, pink and red versions, E. landsdowneana produces the only purplish coloured flowers of the entire genus, which embraces over six hundred and fifty species. The one illustrated photographed in a local garden, has deep mauvish flowers.

Other highly desirable small to medium growing gum trees include E. torquata, woodwardii, preissiana, caesia, tetraptera and rhodantha.

It may take a little perseverance to track these down but the effort will be rewarded. There is at least one nursery which has ventured to propagate a few of the above species and undoubtedly greater demand for these and others should see an eventual increase in their range.