Although they are usually gigantic trees, you can also plant varieties of eucalyptus suitable for smaller gardens. This is an evergreen that adapts quickly to various growing conditions and can thrive indoors or as a garden plant with little care. Both its blue-green foliage and decorative appearance as well as its minty aroma make eucalyptus a favorite choice for many gardeners. However, it is recommended for inexperienced amateur gardeners to consider a few factors when planting. If you are one of them, the following information and gardening tips can help you.
What should you consider before planting a eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus trees grow in Australia but are considered hardy plant varieties that can withstand harsher climates. In addition, they can grow short, develop strong trunks and thick leaves, or have open canopies and even thrive hanging. However, most varieties require some time to become established before low temperatures set in. Therefore, it is best to plant a eucalyptus in spring or summer, with certainTrees growing in autumnprefer. If in doubt, you can ask at the garden center or read the instructions.
Additionally, before growing, you should choose a sunny location and plan for a little more room to grow. Otherwise, eucalyptus trees are generally quite tolerant of soil conditions as long as there is no soil compaction. However, they require lots of hours of sunshine and appreciate some wind protection, so the ideal growing location would be next to a fence or garden wall. Of course you can do most of them tooEucalyptus trees in containers or potsgrow as houseplants. It should also be noted that some varieties do not tolerate frost well and may thrive better indoors.
Choose the best location for eucalyptus in the garden
So it's best to plant eucalyptus trees in garden areas where there is the least shade. Another important factor is the drainage of the garden soil, which should be uniform. It is also important to ensure that there are no competing plants nearby so that the tree can develop. Also consider that the plant can release toxins into the soil that interfere with companion plants growing. In addition, some eucalyptus trees are considered, which you should also consider when choosing a suitable growing location.
How and when to plant a eucalyptus?
As described above, late spring, summer or autumn are suitable planting times for eucalyptus trees or shrubs. To do this, you can first dig a hole in the ground that is slightly larger than the tree's root ball. If you have several trees, you should stick to a minimum distance of 2 meters when planting eucalyptus. However, if you are planning these as annuals, you can grow the plants closer together as they will not grow tall.
In addition, you can also plant seeds of eucalyptus, although you should first use root trainers to establish them. Only then can you transplant the eucalypts to their final location in midsummer at the latest. The potential height and distribution of the chosen species must also be taken into account. This is important because you need to plant the root ball at an appropriate distance from other plants or buildings to allow for their development.
Care for eucalyptus trees properly after cultivation
It is advisable for hobby gardeners to choose smaller varieties that establish themselves better and do not cause problems during the growth phase. It is best to water the tree adequately when it is young to ensure it becomes well established. You can stop completely once you are sure the plant has settled in. However, check the garden soil occasionally for moisture and water more if necessary during dry periods.
With eucalyptus trees, it is also not essential to enrich the garden soil with additional nutrients, as this will only lead to excessive leaf growth. However, you can spread mulch or compost around the trunks and protect the trees from weeds in the first few years. Besides, it's fromTrellises for the plantsNot recommended because eucalyptus trees develop strong roots and trunks even without support.
More tips on plant care and pruning
If you plant a eucalyptus outside of its habitat, there are a few more factors you should consider when caring for the plant. The trees grow quickly once established but require some tender loving care to thrive properly. You can particularly benefit from this as young plants, paying attention to watering, pests, light, moisture, soil conditions and temperature. Here are the key details you should consider.
- Most eucalyptus trees require direct sunlight throughout their life, but can thrive in partial shade.
- A permeable garden soil with good drainage provides optimal growing conditions for most varieties.
- In the first phase of growth, sufficient watering must be ensured so that the plants can get used to it quickly.
- Only protect your eucalyptus trees during extreme weather conditions as most of them are resilient.
- If there are any pest infestations, be careful of caterpillars, as they can attack a young eucalyptus tree fairly quickly.
Plant eucalyptus and possibly prune later
As a general rule, eucalyptus trees do not require pruning. It is best to check young specimens to see whether they have formed an upright main trunk. When a second upright trunk appears, you can cut it off and leave the established trunk as the leader. Generally, the trees can support themselves, although you can prune them to prevent the foliage from maturing. This way you can make the leaves of the trees look more attractive. In addition, an initial pruning at the beginning of the plant's life can have a positive effect on plant growth.
