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Eucalyptus calycogona

gooseberry mallee

Spreading evergreen, single or multi-stemmed shrubby tree about 5m tall, endemic to south Western Australia. Smooth powdery, grey, bark sheds in strips to expose pale-grey, cream or greenish-grey bark beneath. Broadly lance-shaped, greyish-green juvenile leaves to 6cm long, and narrow, lance-shaped glossy green adult leaves to 10cm long. Clusters of creamy white or sometimes pink flowers from late autumn to late spring, are followed by urn-shaped woody fruit capsules

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream White Pink Grey Silver Green
Summer Grey Silver Green
Autumn Cream White Pink Grey Silver Green
Winter Cream White Pink Grey Silver Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
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 fertile 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
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
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

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