Eucalyptus (Gum)

As the Breeze Moves Through the Plot, Eucalyptus Responds with a Whisper of Fragrant Leaves and a Gentle Shimmer High Above Your Head

Blue‑Grey Foliage With Year‑Round Presence

The first thing most people notice about eucalyptus is its foliage: soft blue‑grey discs or ovals that seem to glow gently in the light. On breezy days the leaves flick and shimmer, bringing movement and subtle colour to the garden even in the depths of winter. Because the tree is evergreen, it provides a constant presence, anchoring planting schemes that change from season to season. It’s particularly lovely on bright, cold mornings, when the contrast between cool foliage and clear sky is at its strongest.

Blue‑Grey Foliage With Year‑Round Presence
Beautiful Bark And Graceful Framework
Fast Growth With Flexible Management

Eucalyptus at a Glance:

Common name: Gum Tree.

Latin name: Eucalyptus.

Size in UK gardens: In typical gardens often kept to 4–8m tall and 3–5m wide with pruning; if left to grow freely it can become a much larger tree over time.

Best position: A sunny, open spot with room for its roots and canopy to develop, ideally away from overhead cables and very tight corners.

Soil: Moist but well‑drained soil; happiest where winter waterlogging is avoided and the soil has been improved before planting.

Main interest: Beautiful blue‑grey juvenile foliage, fragrant when crushed, and smooth, peeling bark that brings interest all year.

Fragrance: Leaves are aromatic when rubbed or brushed against, with the characteristic eucalyptus scent; flowers are usually not noticeably scented in UK gardens.

Hardiness: Generally hardy in much of the UK, including Cambridgeshire and East Anglia, once established, though very young trees appreciate some shelter from severe frost.

Care level: Moderate; fast growth means it needs thoughtful siting and occasional pruning, but it is tough and forgiving once settled in.

Sun & Shelter Advice for Eucalyptus:

☀️ Best light: Eucalyptus enjoys full sun and really comes into its own where it has bright light for most of the day. It will tolerate very light shade, but for the best colour and dense growth, choose a sunny position.

☀️ Shelter and walls: A reasonably open, airy spot suits it well, but young trees appreciate some protection from the very coldest winds. In more exposed Cambridgeshire gardens, a position with a hedge, wall or taller trees in the distance can help break the worst of the wind.

☀️ What to avoid: Avoid deep shade and low, boggy areas where cold, wet soil lingers in winter. Very cramped spaces close to buildings or under power lines are also unwise, as eucalyptus can be vigorous if not pruned to size.

☀️ Where to plant: Eucalyptus works well as a free‑standing specimen tree on a lawn, at the back of a large border, or as a multi‑stemmed feature near the edge of the garden where you can enjoy its foliage and bark. In smaller plots it is often grown as a regularly pruned, multi‑stem shrub.

Soil Requirements for Eucalyptus:

🪏 Preferred soil type: Eucalyptus prefers a reasonably fertile, well‑drained soil that does not sit wet for long periods, especially in winter. It is quite happy in many ordinary garden loams and can do well on slightly lighter, more open soils if watered while young.

🪏 Soil pH and health: It will usually cope with neutral to slightly acidic soils and will tolerate a little alkalinity if drainage is good. If growth looks weak, leaves turn very pale, or the tree seems to sulk, it can be a sign of poor drainage, compaction or nutrient imbalance rather than pH alone, so improving soil structure and adding organic matter can help.

🪏 Improving tricky spots: A little preparation goes a long way with a long‑lived tree.

• Planting in an improved raised bed or gently mounded area with added organic matter and some grit helps on heavier clay, lifting roots above the wettest soil.

• Growing in a large container with a good quality, peat‑free, loam‑based compost and some coarse grit is a useful option for smaller gardens or where ground conditions are very poor, with the understanding that it will still become a substantial plant over time.

Eucalyptus Hardiness:

🍃 General hardiness: Eucalyptus gunnii is one of the hardier eucalyptus species and is usually reliable in much of the UK, including inland areas like Ely and Newmarket. Once established, it will generally come through a normal winter with very little sign of stress.

🍃 Cold and foliage damage: A well‑rooted tree can often tolerate temperatures down to around -10°C to -15°C, though very sharp or prolonged frosts may scorch some leaves or the tips of younger shoots. In most cases, this is cosmetic and new growth will appear as the weather warms.

🍃 In cooler or exposed spots: In particularly cold or very open gardens, choose a site with at least some shelter from prevailing winds and consider a winter mulch over the root area. Young trees are more vulnerable, so in their first year or two you might wrap the lower stem or use fleece during the harshest spells.

Garden Uses for Eucalyptus:

Striking Focal Tree In Open Space: Eucalyptus makes a bold, architectural feature when given room as a free‑standing tree. Its pale trunk and softly coloured leaves draw the eye, especially against darker evergreens or a simple lawn. In larger gardens, it can anchor a corner or form a dramatic backdrop to mixed planting.

Multi‑Stemmed Screen With Cut Foliage: If pruned from young, eucalyptus can be grown as a multi‑stemmed shrub, regularly cut back to encourage fresh juvenile leaves. This creates a dense screen at a more manageable height, with a ready supply of foliage for cutting and arranging indoors. It’s a good way to enjoy the plant’s character without letting it tower too high.

Light Canopy Over Underplanting: The fine, open canopy of a mature eucalyptus lets plenty of light filter through, making it suitable to plant under with sun‑tolerant shrubs, grasses and perennials. Its tall, slim presence adds height without creating deep, gloomy shade, helping different layers of planting knit together.

Large Containers And Young Specimens: In bigger patios or courtyards, eucalyptus can be grown in a substantial container for several years, creating an eye‑catching feature near a seating area. Regular pruning keeps growth in check and encourages plenty of attractive new foliage close to eye level, though it will eventually outgrow smaller pots and need either up‑potting or ground planting.

Wildlife Benefits of Eucalyptus:

🐝 Nectar And Shelter For Insects: In warmer summers, eucalyptus may produce small clusters of creamy flowers that offer nectar and pollen to visiting bees and other insects. Even when not in flower, the canopy provides resting spots and shelter within its fine network of twigs and leaves.

🐦‍⬛ Perching And Roosting For Birds: The tall, branching framework offers excellent vantage points for birds to perch and survey the garden. As the tree matures, its canopy can provide roosting places and a sense of security, particularly in more open, windswept plots.

🪲 Bark, Leaves And Garden Ecology: The peeling bark and year‑round leaf litter create small nooks at the base of the tree where invertebrates can live and feed. These mini‑habitats feed into the wider garden food web, supporting insects that in turn benefit birds and other wildlife, even though eucalyptus is not a traditional “cottage garden” wildlife tree.

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Eucalyptus Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As a container‑grown tree, eucalyptus can be planted in most months when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, though spring and autumn are usually the most forgiving times for new roots.

Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season so the root system can spread, especially in dry or windy weather. Once established in the ground, it usually only needs extra watering in prolonged drought.

Feeding: In reasonable garden soil it rarely needs heavy feeding; a light mulch of garden compost or a general fertiliser in spring is usually enough to support healthy growth.

Pruning: Decide early whether you want a tall tree or a lower, multi‑stem shrub, then prune accordingly once a year, usually in late winter or early spring. Avoid hard pruning during hot, dry spells.

Winter: Established trees are generally hardy, though young plants may benefit from shelter and a mulch around the base in colder parts of the UK. Some leaf scorch after severe cold is not uncommon and is usually outgrown.

How to Plant a Eucalyptus:

1. Planting time: Plant when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually giving the gentlest conditions for new roots. Container‑grown eucalyptus can also be planted at other times if you can water reliably.

2. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole roughly twice as wide as the pot and just a little deeper. This gives fresh, loosened soil around the rootball without sinking the plant too deeply.

3. Loosen the soil: Use a fork to break up the soil in the base and sides of the hole. This encourages roots to move outwards rather than staying in a tight plug.

4. Improve poor or heavy soil: On heavy clay or very light, sandy soil, mix in some well‑rotted compost and, on clay, a handful or two of horticultural grit. This improves structure and drainage while still holding enough moisture.

5. Set the plant in place: Gently remove the eucalyptus from its pot, keeping the rootball intact. Place it in the hole so the top of the compost sits level with the surrounding soil, with the tree upright and facing the way you prefer.

6. Backfill and firm: Refill around the rootball with the improved soil, working it in gently and firming lightly with your hands or boot. Aim to remove obvious air pockets without compacting the soil hard.

7. Support if required: Young eucalyptus trees in exposed positions will usually benefit from staking. Use a sturdy stake and soft ties, fixing the stem low enough to allow a little movement so the trunk can strengthen.

8. Water and mulch: Water thoroughly after planting so the soil settles around the roots. Finish with a light mulch of compost or bark around, but not touching, the stem to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Watering & Feeding Eucalyptus:

💧 Establishing young plants: In the first year or two, water deeply once or twice a week in dry weather, especially on lighter soils. Check the top few centimetres of soil and water when they begin to feel dry.

💧 Once established: A well‑rooted eucalyptus is fairly drought‑tolerant and usually only needs extra water in prolonged hot, dry spells, particularly in the drier conditions often found in East Anglia.

💧 Deep vs light watering: Whenever you water, aim for a slow, thorough soak that reaches the deeper roots rather than frequent light sprinkling. This encourages strong, downward root growth and better resilience in dry weather.

💧 Feeding routine: In most garden soils, a light spring feed with a balanced fertiliser or a mulch of garden compost is sufficient. Too much rich fertiliser can lead to very sappy, fast growth that may be more vulnerable to wind damage.

🪴 Plants in pots: Container‑grown eucalyptus will dry out more quickly and needs regular checking, especially in warm or windy weather. Water when the top of the compost feels dry and use a slow‑release fertiliser or occasional liquid feed in the growing season, ensuring the pot drains freely.

Pruning Advice for Eucalyptus:

✂️ Natural habit: Left to its own devices, eucalyptus will develop into a tall tree with a strong central stem and an open canopy. In many UK gardens, it is managed by pruning to keep it at a suitable size and to encourage plenty of attractive juvenile foliage.

✂️ Best time to prune: The main pruning is usually done in late winter or very early spring, once the worst frosts have passed but before vigorous new growth starts. This timing allows cuts to heal quickly and new shoots to develop strongly.

✂️ What to remove: Begin by taking out any dead, damaged or crossing branches. Then shorten or remove selected stems to shape the canopy, or, if you are coppicing or pollarding, cut back to a framework of main stems at the chosen height.

✂️ Keeping it young and tidy: To maintain a bushy shrub with lots of round juvenile leaves, many gardeners coppice or pollard eucalyptus every year or two, cutting back to the same point each time. For a smaller tree, an occasional thinning of crowded branches and light height reduction keeps the outline balanced.

Winter Protection Tips for Eucalyptus:

❄️ Typical winters: In a normal Cambridgeshire‑style winter, established eucalyptus trees usually cope well without special protection. You may see a little leaf scorch after a sharp frost, but the tree will generally replace damaged foliage in spring.

❄️ Colder or exposed spots: In very exposed or colder gardens, a mulch around the base will help protect roots from deep freezing. Young trees may benefit from a temporary windbreak or a wrap of fleece around the lower crown during the harshest spells in their first couple of winters.

🪴 Plants in pots:

• Move containers into a more sheltered corner or closer to the house during very cold or windy weather.

• Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or hessian if severe cold is forecast, to help insulate the rootball.

• Check that drainage holes remain clear so pots do not sit in cold, waterlogged compost, which is often more damaging than low temperatures alone.

Potential Eucalyptus Pests & Diseases:

🌱 General health: Eucalyptus is generally a robust and healthy tree in UK gardens, with relatively few serious problems when grown in suitable soil and light. Good establishment and sensible pruning usually keep it in excellent condition.

🪲 Common minor pests: Aphids, scale insects or other sap‑sucking pests may occasionally appear on young shoots, particularly in sheltered spots. These are often kept in check by natural predators; if needed, a gentle wash with soapy water or an appropriate insecticidal spray can deal with heavier infestations.

🍂 Disease risks: Most disease issues are linked to poor drainage or very compacted soil, which can stress the roots and make the tree more vulnerable. Root problems or fungal issues are uncommon in well‑drained ground but can develop if the tree sits in waterlogged soil for long periods.

🍂 Normal vs worrying changes: Some leaf drop, especially of older leaves, is perfectly normal, and you may also see occasional scorching after severe frosts or summer droughts. Rapid, widespread dieback, oozing at the base, or whole sections failing suddenly are more concerning and may indicate serious root or trunk problems.

🌱 Simple prevention: Planting in the right place, with decent drainage and enough space, is the best prevention. Avoid overwatering established trees, don’t bury the trunk when mulching, and give the canopy enough room to develop without constant severe cutting, so the tree stays strong and resilient.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Eucalyptus camphora

Eucalyptus gunnii

Eucalyptus niphophila

Eucalyptus pauciflora

A graceful gum with a clean, airy outline and fresh, aromatic foliage that brings a modern, architectural feel. The leaves have a soft, silvery-green look and a pleasing scent when brushed past. A smart feature tree for adding movement, character, and that unmistakable eucalyptus “lift”.

One of the most loved gums for its handsome blue-grey foliage and the irresistible, coin-shaped juvenile leaves on young growth. The overall effect is crisp, contemporary and wonderfully aromatic. It brings instant structure and a touch of the exotic—brilliant as a specimen or for creating a light, airy screen.

A beautifully neat, refined snow gum with rounded, silvery leaves that give a soft, luminous canopy. The branching has a clean, sculptural quality, making it feel almost designed. A superb choice if you want eucalyptus character in a more compact, elegant form with plenty of winter presence.

The classic snow gum, admired for its smooth, mottled bark that peels to reveal creams, greys and warm cinnamon tones—especially striking in winter light. The crown is light and airy, with that unmistakable eucalyptus shimmer. A wonderful specimen tree for year-round character and bark beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eucalyptus can be grown in smaller gardens, but it does need careful thought and regular management. Left unpruned, it can become a large tree that soon feels too big for a tight space. However, if you decide early to grow it as a multi‑stemmed shrub or to pollard it at a set height, you can keep it much more compact while still enjoying the beautiful foliage. In very small plots, it may be better in a large container for a number of years, with regular pruning to limit its size and keep the juvenile leaves close to eye level.

If left to itself, Eucalyptus gunnii can eventually reach well over 10m in height, and sometimes more, given enough time and good conditions. In many UK gardens, though, it is kept much lower using pruning, often between 4–8m tall and several metres wide. Growth is usually quite fast, especially in the first few years, so it’s wise to allow plenty of room at planting and to decide early how tall you’re happy for it to become. With regular pruning, its ultimate size is largely in your hands.

Yes, eucalyptus can be grown in a large container and this is often a good way to enjoy the plant in smaller spaces or where ground conditions are poor. Choose a substantial pot with good drainage and fill it with a peat‑free, loam‑based compost mixed with some grit. Water and feed regularly during the growing season and prune to the shape and size you want, usually once a year. Over time the roots will fill the container, so you may need to pot on or refresh the compost periodically, or eventually move the plant into the ground.

Eucalyptus is happiest in full sun and will give its best foliage colour and growth where it gets plenty of light. It will tolerate a little light shade, but deep shade is not ideal. In terms of cold, Eucalyptus gunnii is among the hardier eucalyptus species and is generally reliable in much of the UK once established, including inland areas like Cambridgeshire. Young trees may need some protection from severe frosts, but mature plants usually cope well, with any minor leaf scorch quickly replaced by fresh growth in spring.

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