SELECTION OF EUCALYPTUS SPECIES FOR GARDEN USE IN COOL TEMPERATE CONDITIONS

Between 1969 and 1976, seedlings of 102 eucalyptus species were planted in a coastal garden at Baily, Dublin, Ireland (53.4 N latitude) to test their hardiness and suitability as ornamental trees.

Although many species were killed by low temperatures, including all those from from Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, plants of 37 species from New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania are still alive and growing well in 1992, 16 to 23 years after planting.

The results suggests that a range of species, in addition to E. qunnii and others normally recommended, could be planted in mild areas in Ireland for garden decoration.
Among those which suvived temperatures down to -6 C and are suitable for this purpose are:- E. acaciaeformis (small, green, sessile juvenile foliage), E. cinerea (blue green ovate, sessile foliage), E. kitsoniana (bright green foliage and floriferous) and E. linearis (graceful habit, linear green leaves).

International Symposium on Selection and Breeding of Woody Ornamentals

D.W. Robinson

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.320.3