Eucalyptus

Forum Archives

 

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Lisa A

Posted: Jul-15-2004 at 11:21am

I've lusted after Eucalyptis for a long time - I swoon over the bark. Up to now, I've been reluctant to grow one for fear a hard winter will cut it down in its prime. But there's hope after all, according to info in an article in the Oregonian today (read here).

Does anyone grow Eucalyptis? If so, which one? What has been your experience with it? TIA!

 

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Sydnie

Posted: Jul-15-2004 at 12:20pm

I have a girlfriend that planted one in a round hole in her patio. They have only had it about three years or so. LOL. They are now cutting it down. It was like Jack and the Beanstalk. The thing has got to be 30 ft tall. No kidding! It's roots are breaking up their patio. It would of been wonderful- if it wasn't for the fact of where it was planted. They live in zone 7. I doubt that she knows what kind it is. But I will ask. (She does not have great soil where she is either and is not a gardener. LOL)

 

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Screaming Eagle

Posted: Jul-15-2004 at 4:34pm

I bought a little tiny Eucalyptis Nicholii at Meseogeo at B&B last weekend--totally an impulse buy--upon researching I've discovered it gets 40 feet tall, oh boy! Not what I was planning on!

I'll keep him in a pot for now, he's quite cute and smells SO GOOD! He may eventually have to go to a better home with more room.

 

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Salvia Guy

Posted: Jul-15-2004 at 5:00pm

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa,

Let yourself go and SWOOOOOOON!

Get that eucalyptus!

I am about to read the article. I'm thinking one might look good in my parking strip.

I'll have to run up to Cistus and speak to Sean about which one to get.

SG

 

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Red Hare

Posted: Jul-16-2004 at 11:55am

I used to grow them in the desert in Arizona. Depending on the variety, many of them are rather slender. I loved them because they grew so fast and gave me shade in no time at all. And I love the texture of their bark and leaves, and, of course, the fragrance. Drought tolerant. I'm wondering if they need especially good drainage here.

Eucalypts were to me in Arizona what Japanese and vine maples are to me here in Oregon - irresistible! (Eucalypts is the plural; eucalyptus is singular)

 

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HarleyLady

Posted: Jul-16-2004 at 1:46pm

Last summer I bought a very small E. dairympleana at Heronswood. It spent several months in a pot, then I put it in the ground in September before I left for Mexico. It's rated Z8, and survived last winter's snow and ice quite nicely. It put on considerable size (now about 3') and I dug it up and repotted it to move to the new property. I haven't put it in the ground yet (haven't found quite the right spot) and it's root-bound, but doesn't seem to be struggling at all. I love the silvery round foliage, and look forward to seeing how the bark looks as it matures somewhat.

 

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Lisa A

Posted: Jul-19-2004 at 10:08am

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone. I think I'll be checking out what Cistus has and see if there's one I can my garden. Thanks, especially for the warning about their roots.

Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
~ Chinese fortune cookie

 

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Verena

Posted: Jul-19-2004 at 2:05pm

Lisa, I planted ten E. pauciflora ssp. niphophila (snow gum) in 1986. They were rated hardy by the Willamette Experimental Station for the Willamette Valley, and they grew into gorgeous trees by 1989. Then, eight froze completely to the ground (el. 945'), and no less than a chain saw had to be used to clean up--beats going to a gym I guess! But what a ton of work. They came back from the roots, which ended up looking like a copse; brushy, small, multi-stemmed, the fantastic larger trunks gone. I'ld never plant a large growing Eucalyptus close to the house as they are an extreme fire hazard. The oils are very volatile. They're one of my favorite trees though, and the two big ones remaining are a joy to look at.

 

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SJCanada

Posted: Jul-22-2004 at 10:00pm

I planted a Eucalyptus Gunnii (?spelling) that was in a 6" pot when I got it. Two years later it is now about 25' high, so plan your spot to plant carefully! I have never watered or fed it, and it keeps its' leaves year round. Doesn't have much smell at all, though it looks nice.

I was not aware of the fire hazard risk, is that all types? There is a nursery on Saltspring Island that has lots of them, and the ownwer is really knowledgable. I think his website is Banana Bob.. something or other.