Eucalypts are such an iconic and mainstay tree in our rural and natural environments they deserve more focus in our urban gardens. Typically the gums we observe in those environments are towering River Red gums and Blue gums neither of which are suitable for ¼ acre and smaller blocks. There are however a large number of smaller ‘Mallee’ type gums that are suitable for smaller block sizes with a great diversity of foliage, flowers, and habits.
Mallee gums are generally multi branched and grow on lignotuber rootstocks that are bulbous, woody swellings at the base of the main branches. Whilst the lignotubers role is for food storage for new shoots following fire or damage, it does provide support for a tree’s main branches, rather than large lateral roots, making them good for smaller gardens. Periodically if branches become scraggly or too tall they can be cut back to the lignotuber in Spring where new shoots will arise to replace branches removed. In this way you can refresh and rejuvenate growth and have more control over a plants habit if you choose.
Some examples of Mallee gums that will grow on the Adelaide plains include Eucalyptus gillii, Euc. pressiana, Euc. landsdowneana, Euc. alatissima and Euc. youngiana. As with most gums they are extremely drought tolerant once established and very low maintenance. They also attract insects that like to inhabit their leaves or shelter under their bark making them an attractive food source to native birds, and attractive to bird and insect pollinators when flowering too.
They are fantastic additions to any native and bush style garden, or as a specimen tree/focal point plant in semi-formal garden.