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Northwestern Gardening

eucalyptus question

15 years ago

I love the little eucalyptus starts in nurseries. I would love to buy one but I don't want it to become a huge tree. I don't have space for it so I'd prefer to grow it as a shrub. Is there a variety that stays small? Or can I maintain it as a shrub?

I found the following description:

"Coppice stool: Let the plant get established for one or two years and then in Feb / March you cut it down to about 4-6" above ground level. This encourages it to throw out new shoots from just below the cut point. The plant will then provide you with lots of very attractive juvenile foliage that can grow up to 6ft from ground level in a season."

This is from http://www.english-gardening.com/Plants/fast_growing_tree.htm with regard to eucalyptus.

Does anybody have any experience with this way of growing eucalyptus?

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Comments (7)

johnaberdeen
15 years ago
agniexzka,

That works great with the ones that form lignotubers. Go to this site and learn which ones form this structure and the care and culture of Eucalyptus: http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/

I know many people who do this and they enjoy the new growth in flower arrangements.

John

Here is a link that might be useful: HOW TO GROW A EUCALYPTUS
agnieszka
Original Author
15 years ago
John,

Thanks for the info.
I'm realizing that I may not have enough space for it in my small urban garden :(

Agnieszka
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This forum seems to be much more about the classic English garden, than about what they really grow in England in the late 20th or 21st century. You would be getting many more responses here if you were asking something off topic, like: "my cat is stuck in a tree" than you would by asking anything unusual or too far off the heavily beaten path. I started a thread about Abutilons that I thought would be very interesting. I was planning on update the thread with successus and failures. The plant is easily as interesting as Fuchsia, but I heard crickets. Here is a forum that will have an answer to your question. Here is a link. You will find some advice there. I used to love this forum by the way, but your question will sit at the top for a very long time. Posting about compost seems to get much more interest here. Here is a link that might be useful: This is where you might find answers
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Embothrium
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In Seattle at the present time it is possible to walk around many neighborhoods and see gum trees all over the place. If you live in Seattle or another large community near salt water you may be able to do likewise and gain a perspective on what seems feasible with these trees that way. Enthusiasts may have multiple unrestrained specimens planted on small lots. Most kinds seen here produce an open tree that can be quite slender and not particularly low- or wide-branching, although this certainly varies and some grow quite large very quickly.

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ian_wa
15 years ago
Basically.... plant almost any kind you like, and cut it back to a 1-2' stump every year in April. Or else stand back and watch it grow straight up...in a few years it will be up and out of the way and you will hardly notice it.
agnieszka
Original Author
15 years ago
bboy, I did see some around north Seattle but they're all pretty big. Lovely but huge. Today was the first time that I saw one that was cut back; it's in Green Lake park!
Ian, what about the roots? I read somewhere that it shouldn't be planted too close to a house foundation or garden wall. It makes sense when you talk about a tree. Is it the same when the eucalyptus is cut back every year?

BTW, I hope that you're coming to the NHS plant sale. I would like to get a couple of grevillea from you and one more plant I can't remember the name now.

Thanks for your responses!
ian_wa
15 years ago
Cutting it back every year will slow down the root system somewhat. In general I wouldn't be concerned about planting it near the house if you're really sure it's going to get cut back yearly. Eucalyptus roots are somewhat agressive but tend not to disturb house foundations when the moist soil is to be found somewhere else. See you at the sale!
agnieszka
Original Author
15 years ago
Cool! I'm going to definitely try one. Maybe I wait for the sale to get one from you :)

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