What Is Eucalyptus Pauciflora – How To Grow A Snow Gum Eucalyptus
A beautiful, showy tree native to Australia, the Snow Gum eucalyptus is a tough, easy-to-grow tree that produces lovely white flowers and grows in a wide variety of conditions. Keep reading to learn about Snow Gum eucalyptus care and how to grow a Snow Gum eucalyptus tree in the garden.
Eucalyptus Pauciflora Information
What is Eucalyptus pauciflora? The name pauciflora, which means “few flowers,” is actually a misnomer that can be traced back to some questionable botany in the 19th century. Pauciflora Snow Gum trees actually produce an abundance of attractive white flowers in the spring and early summer (October to January in their native Australia). The trees are evergreen and hardy down to USDA zone 7. The leaves are long, glossy, and dark green. They contain oil glands that make them glisten in the sunlight in a very distinctive way. The bark is smooth in shades of white, gray, and occasionally red. The bark sheds, giving it an attractive mottled appearance in various colors. Snow Gum eucalyptus trees vary in size, sometimes growing as tall as 20 feet (6 m.), but sometimes staying small and shrub-like at a mere 4 feet (1 m.).
How to Grow a Snow Gum Eucalyptus Tree
Growing Snow Gum eucalyptus is relatively easy. The trees grow well from seeds that come in the form of gum nuts. They will tolerate a huge range of soils, performing well in clay, loam, and sand. They do prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil. Like many eucalyptus trees, they are very drought tolerant and can recover well from fire damage. Snow Gum eucalyptus do best in full sun, and in a spot that is somewhat sheltered from the wind. Due to the oil in them, the leaves have a very pleasant fragrance. They are, however, toxic, and should never be eaten.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.
-
9 Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers For Gardeners – That They’ll Actually Use
Stocking stuffers often end up an after-thought, but not these! Explore expert-curated stocking stuffers for gardeners that they'll use for years to come.
By Laura Walters
-
Are Amaryllis Plants Poisonous To Cats? How You Can Tell – And What To Grow Instead
The holiday season is a perfect time to showcase your favorite Christmas blooms, but are amaryllis plants poisonous to cats? Here’s how to keep felines safe and well
By Mary Ellen Ellis