Do you want to cultivate an exotic deciduous tree in your garden and have you chosen eucalyptus? Certainly a good choice, but the most difficult decision is still to be made. In the following you have to decide on one type. And there are more of them than you think. What they all have in common is that they come from Australia. However, there are numerous differences in terms of external appearance and properties. On this page you will find an overview that will make your purchase decision easier.
What types of eucalyptus are there?
The most famous eucalyptus species are the blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), speckled eucalyptus (Corymbia maculata), red eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), snow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila), silver dollar eucalyptus (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) and Tasmanian Snow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus coccifera). The winter-hardy Eucalyptus gunii is particularly suitable for temperate climates.
Growth forms
The eucalyptus occurs as a tree or a shrub. It can reach an impressive height of up to five meters. However, with regular pruning you can keep growth within limits, so that the following cultivation options are conceivable:
- as a solitary tree
- in the bed
- in the bucket
- as a houseplant
- on the balcony
The genus Eucalyptus gunii deserves special mention. With its comparatively slow growth of only 40 cm per year, it is an exception among the eucalyptus species.
Characteristics of the most famous eucalyptus species
The blue gum tree (Eucalyptus Globulus)
- ovoid, green leaves
- smooth leaf edge
- two leaves on each branch
- alternate leaf position
The Speckled Eucalyptus (Corymbia maculata)
- long, firm, shiny, green leaf
- smooth, slightly wavy leaf edge
- Leaf reaches a length of up to 20 cm
The Red Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
- oblong, gray-green leaf
- Leaf reaches a length of up to 30 cm
- smooth leaf edge
The snow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp niphophila)
- elongated, slightly oval leaf
- grey-green to whitish shimmering leaves
- smooth leaf edge
The Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus polyanthemos)
- blue-green, round leaf
- slightly notched leaf edge
The Tasmanian Snow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus coccifera)
- elongated, slightly oval, grey-green, sometimes whitish shimmering leaf
- smooth leaf edge
- Leaves change as they age
Winter hardy species
As eucalyptus has become more and more popular here in Europe in recent years, you can now find winter-proof varieties in stores. Here again the Eucalyptus gunii is mentioned as an example.