Eucalyptus camphora

RHS Plant Profile

mountain swamp gum

Synonyms

Eucalyptus ovata var. aquatica

Trees Shrubs

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Evergreen tree about 25m tall, or a multi-stemmed shrub to 10m with smooth grey to brownish or almost black bark , sometimes with accumulated shed bark at the base. Highly aromatic, green or bluish-green, juvenile leaves, notched at the apex, to 7cm long are followed by dark green, broadly lance-shaped adult leaves to 15cm long. White flowers in clusters of 7 from midsummer to mid autumn, followed by conical, woody fruits to 6cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay

Moisture: Well–drained or Moist but well–drained or Poorly–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: Australia (Queensland to Victoria)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in fertile, well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Grows in boggy, flooded or wet soil in its native habitat but likely to be hardier in well-drained conditions in this country. Grow in mild or frost-free UK 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 and oedema