Eucalyptus pauciflora

RHS Plant Profile
ghost gum

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ghost gum RHS
ghost gum RHS
ghost gum RHS

Other common names

flooded gum, peppermint tree, swamp gum, weeping gum, white gum, white Sally

Synonyms

Eucalyptus coriacea

Trees
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A spreading evergreen tree, about 15-20m tall. White to light grey peeling bark sheds to reveal yellow, bronze and greenish patches, young shoots are yellow or red. Elliptic, pinkish bronze juvenile leaves turn grey-green and adult leaves are glossy blue-green, sickle-shaped, up to 20cm long, with distinctive parallel veins. Clusters of 9-15 white flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by cup-shaped to funnel-shaped 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
10–20 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)
H5

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
SE Queensland to Tasmania

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, neutral to slightly acid soil that does not dry out, in full sun and sheltered from cold, drying winds. See eucalyptus cultivation

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or, for young specimens giving the best display of juvenile foliage, 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