Eucalyptus
[yew-kah-LIP-tus]

Evergreen Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Open (Tree Or Shrub) in the Myrtaceae Family
Hundreds of fast-growing, aromatic evergreen trees and shrubs native to Australia, prized for silvery-blue foliage, peeling bark, and fragrant oils -- though not reliably winter-hardy in the Chicago area.

Eucalyptus is a large genus of several hundred evergreen trees and shrubs in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native primarily to Australia, with a few species extending into the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. Known for rapid growth, peeling or furrowed bark, and leathery, often blue-green to gray-green leaves rich in aromatic oils, Eucalyptus species range from small multi-stemmed shrubs to some of the tallest flowering trees in the world.

Small clusters of flowers open from distinctive cap-like buds, with showy stamens in white, red, or yellow depending on the species. Most Eucalyptus are tender to cold and are not reliably winter-hardy in the Chicago area; locally they are typically grown as container specimens or treated as fast-growing annuals or tender perennials for their striking foliage, then brought indoors or replaced each year.

Pros

  • Strikingly silvery-blue to gray-green aromatic foliage
  • Very fast growing
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Attractive peeling bark adds interest

Cons

  • Not winter-hardy in the Chicago area; grown as an annual or tender perennial
  • Leaves and oils can irritate skin or be toxic if ingested
  • Highly flammable foliage and oils
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights Among the most recognizable aromatic foliage plants in the world, Eucalyptus is beloved by florists and gardeners for its silvery-blue, rounded leaves and menthol-like fragrance. In mild climates it grows into towering evergreen trees; in colder regions like Chicago it is grown seasonally as a fast, fragrant foliage accent.
 

Plant Data

Growth Rate Rapid
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 7a - 11b (Usually hardy to 0° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Bees, Blue Foliage, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Evergreen, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Rapid Growth Rate, Tender Perennial, Well-Drained Soil
Flower Color White, Red, Or Yellow
Foliage Color

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants in containers, such as Salvia and Pelargonium, or with ornamental grasses for textural contrast.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!