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TreesShrubs

Eucalyptus torquata

coral gum

Small evergreen tree or multi-stemmed shrub about 4-11m tall, endemic to southern Western Australia. Rough, flaking dark grey-brown to grey-black bark and smooth grey or coppery branches, with greyish-green, elliptical juvenile leaves 6cm long and lance-shaped dull grey-green adult leaves to 15cm long. Masses of orange, barrel-shaped buds are followed by clusters of coral-pink flowers from late winter to late spring, followed by pendulous cylindrical, woody fruits, ribbed at the base

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Eucalyptus are evergreen trees or large shrubs, often fast-growing, some with attractive bark, most with aromatic foliage, and clusters of small, white, yellow or red flowers
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Grow tender species outdoors in mild or frost-free counties only. See eucalyptus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Mediterranean climate plants
Sub-tropical

Pruning

Pruning group 1, or for the best display of juvenile foliage use Pruning group 7. See Eucalyptus: pruning for more detailed advice

Pests

May be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, oedema and honey fungus

Get involved

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