Eucalyptus amygdalina

RHS Plant Profile
black peppermint

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Other common names

almond-leaved gum, Australian kino tree, giant gum, red gum tree, Tasmanian peppermint gum, wangara tree

Synonyms

Eucalyptus salicifolia

Trees
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Evergreen shrub or tree, endemic to Tasmania, to about 30m tall, with fibrous, grey to greyish-brown bark on trunk and larger branches, salmon pink white or grey on smaller branches and branchlets. Long, narrow, green leaves are strongly aromatic of peppermint. White flowers in clusters of between 11-15 flowers in summer are followed by rounded woody fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

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)
H3

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
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
Plant Range
Tasmania

How to Grow

Cultivation

In mild counties and frost-free areas, grow in well-drained, neutral to acid soil, in full sun with shelter from winds. 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
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

Pruning group 1, or for the best display of juvenile foliage use Pruning group 7. Will need restrictive pruning under glass. See Eucalyptus: pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, oedema and honey fungus