Eucalyptus vernicosa -
Varnished Gum (Tasmania)
This is a small, shrubby euc from the windswept alpine ridges and heaths
of Tasmania where it grows almost exclusively above the timberline.
It grows to about 4 - 15' tall, and usually wider than high. It is
closely related to E. johnstonii and E. subcrenulata, and
has leaves the same shade of deep shiny green. The leaves are small
and may remain round and juvenile throughout the life of the plant, or
they may become pointed with short petioles. It is a very slow-growing
species in cultivation - probably the slowest-growing euc listed on this
page, and perhaps the slowest-growing euc all around, usually growing less
than 1' per year. It takes many years to finally reach the size of
a small tree, and can generally be considered as an attractive shrub in
cultivation. It is, however, very hardy, tolerating temperatures
down to somewhere in the neighborhood of 0°F.
Photos
of Eucalyptus vernicosa
Eucalyptus vernicosa is also
featured in Milligan Seeds and Trees Gallery: (in
habitat) (young
plant)
Eucalyptus viminalis -
Manna Gum, Ribbon Gum, White Gum (southeast
Australia) This fairly well known species is a large tree with usually
smooth bark and billowy masses of foliage. The predominantly white
bark peels attractively strips leaving cream, pink and tan patches.
It grows very rapidly and can reach a height of 160'. The juvenile
leaves are opposite, but green, and long and narrow. Overall a rather
large, beautiful, messy, soft-outlined tree. Closely related to E.
dalrypmleana and E. rubida, and easily confused with them when
mature, but generally not quite as hardy. However it is certainly
one of the more impressively-tropical-looking hardy eucs and should be
tried more in colder climates. 5 to 15°F. Ssp. cygnitensis
- Rough-barked Manna Gum is a smaller tree from western Victoria and
South Australia, and is probably not as hardy as the best provenances of
E.
viminalis ssp. viminalis. It has rough bark and a low-branching
crown.
Photos
of Eucalyptus viminalis
Eucalyptus viminalis is also
featured in Milligan Seeds and Trees Gallery: (tree
in habitat)
