Archive for January, 2007

Eucalyptus pimpiniana (Pimpin Mallee)

2 Comments »4th January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eucalypts, Frost Hardy Plants

Eucalyptus pimpiniana

This delightful shrub had only been a name and description until I came across it growing at the entrance gate to Medika Art Gallery at Blyth in the mid north of South Australia. The owner of the gallery is also a keen propagator of Australian native plants.

Eucalyptus pimpiniana grows to about 2 metres. It grows in western South Australia where it is classed as rare. Flowering is from December to June and the Honeyeaters love it. One book I read says that frost tolerance is not fully tested. In Blyth it would have survived very severe frost this last winter. This is a plant for dry areas and full sunshine and also alkaline soil. I think it would also make a magnificent potted plant in a large tub.

Eucalyptus pimpiniana

Melaleuca nesophila

6 Comments »3rd January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Melaleuca

Melaleuca nesophila

Melaleuca nesophila is a large shrub from Western Australia which I have seen trimmed to be tree-like. The lower branches can be removed to leave a trunk. The plant can grow to 4 metres tall by 4 metres wide. Mauve flowers are in large clusters and appear in late spring through the summer.

This plant is spectacular when in flower and a very attractive plant all year round. It is very hardy in most soils and aspects. It is frost hardy to about -7C. There must have been a severe frost in my daughter’s neighbourhood last winter as all the Melaleuca nesophila bushes in the neighbours’ yards were burnt. It is a fast growing screen or feature plant.

Eucalyptus kingsmillii

No Comments »2nd January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eucalypts, Frost Hardy Plants

Eucalyptus kingsmillii

I found this tree flowering in my fence line planting and as a street tree in one of the smaller nearby towns. Eucalyptus kingsmillii is a Western Australian species which is mallee shrub or small tree 4-8m tall by 3-6m wide.

We had Mistletoe birds nesting in one of the trees in the windbreak. It was the first native bird to nest in a tree which we had planted. After a storm one day I discovered that the neighbour had found the nest about to collapse and it had eggs in it. She found a stocking and slid a length of it over the nest and tied it securely to the tree. The birds continued to sit and raise the chicks.

Our plants have brilliant red flowers but apparently it is often yellow. They originate in very arid areas and need good drainage and a warm aspect. They are drought tolerant and moderately frost tolerant. Eucalyptus kingsmillii is highly suited to gardens, parks and roadside planting. It can be cut for floral decorations. Apparently this is a plant grown in California.

A photo and article on Mistletoe Birds can be found here.

Eucalyptus ficifolia hybrid (Corymbia species)

No Comments »1st January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eucalypts, Frost Hardy Plants

Eucalyptus ficifolia hybrid

We think that this tree is Eucalyptus ficifolia crossed with Eucalyptus pachyphylla. The name probably should be Corymbia ficifolia hybrid but I cannot get used to calling Eucalypts by any other name.)

This tree is obviously drought and frost hardy here and grows in alkaline soil, which breaks all the rules if the books are to be believed. The issue is, I think, that many species are quite adaptable and noone has the full story on all species. This tree is one of those. It has large fruits which are urn shaped and very decorative. Many use them for crafts and they are fun to create things with children.

Eucalyptus ficifolia hybrid