SHADES OF GREY

These young ‘Silver Princess‘ gums look good when grouped into a clump. As the trees grow, some can be pruned while others can retain height in the clump

Close up of the ‘Silver Princess’ foliage showing the reddish midrib or main vein in the leaves

This sturdy young Curly Malle has already flowered and set fruits during its first year of growth on the farm

A promising farm beauty is the Southern Cross Mallee. This small plant has not been bothered by the dry conditions or insects in the past year since planting

Moon lagoon foliage is dense and most attractive in its juvenile stage. The foliage will change after several years

Kruse’s gum foliage is popular with florists due to its attractive rounded blue-grey foliage

Eucalyptus pleurocarpa was formerly known as Eucalyptus tetragona due to the square shape of stems. Unfortunately this specimen has suffered on the farm due to insect attack

There is a good chance that Australian native trees and shrubs with grey foliage have become adapted to dry conditions. One group of native trees and shrubs that have fitted in well on the farm are the smaller and often multi-stemmed gum trees known as the Mallee gums.

The Mallee Gums

Mallee gums suited to the dry inland areas of Australia often have grey foliage that is more pronounced in the juvenile stages of growth. These gums have become popular with florists for their long lasting foliage as well as decorative buds and fruit capsules.

Grey-Leaved Mallee

I have planted a small range of the grey-leaved species and have been pleased with the results during the past two years. These trees will not exceed six metres in most cases and can be heavily pruned or coppiced should they become messy in appearance. Having a woody swelling at ground level known as a lignotuber, these plants quickly regenerate after cutting or after bushfires have killed the plants stems.

Popular Mallee In Melbourne

The photographs included show juvenile foliage, but these species featured will also retain their grey colours as they mature. The well known ‘Silver Princess’ gum Eucalyptus caesia has become one of the most popular small gums grown in Melbourne gardens due to its slender whitish trunks, weeping habit and magnificent large red and yellow flowers. My plantings have flourished and seem to be tolerating the relatively heavy soils on the farm.

Other Mallees

The Southern Cross Mallee Eucalyptus crucis is not well known, but looks like it will be an impressive specimen. Eucalyptus gillii or Curly Mallee has made very good growth and has produces flowers in the first year after planting. Popular with florists, Kruse’s mallee, E. Kruseana has made good growth, but many plants have been attacked by leaf eating insects in spring. Eucalyptus pleurocarpa or Tallerack has grown well, but it has also been popular with leaf eating insects.

The natural hybrid Eucalyptus ‘Moon Lagoon’ seems to be doing very well and has resisted insect attack so far. Tiny juvenile leaves are dense and well suited for floristry.

Favourite Mallee On My Hobby Farm

One of my favourites that I am currently growing from seed and plan to grow in large numbers is the small gum, Eucalyptus albida or White Leaved Mallee. This gum can be trained as a low hedge and pruned to promote the production of small rounded grey-white leaves.