Eucalyptus vernicosa

RHS Plant Profile

varnished gum

RHS

Shrubs

An evergreen shrub notable for its slow-growing habit, reaching around only 1m in height in 4 years. It may eventually reach 3-4m. Leaves are about 5cm across, thickly-textured and highly glossy; ovate to round when juvenile, they are more elongated and are stalked when adult. Flowers, if they appear, are white and held singly

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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
Plant Range: Australia (Tasmania)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers free-draining acid to neutral conditions in full sun. See eucalyptus cultivation for further advice

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Patio and container plants
Hedging and screens

Pruning

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

Pests

May be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, oedema and honey fungus