[ButterflyLion]

I bought a Eucalyptus plant yesterday at Lowe's in Douglasville. They had them for a little less that $3.00. I bought it mainly to use for cut fresh flower arrangements but it should add some interest and contrast to the landscape, too. I thought I would mention it in case someone else wanted to grow them.

Here's some Eucalyptus Success Stories from Walter Reeves' website:

Eucalyptus – Success Stories

When I replied to a newspaper reader about his chances of success with eucalyptus (low, in my opinion), I invited readers to share their eucalyptus stories. To my chagrin, at least a few folks have succeeded with this tree.

Here are their stories:

Walter,
I noted the Q & A regarding eucalyptus. We bought two of them about 7 years ago. One, commonly called Eucalyptus camphora (mountain swamp eucalyptus) didn’t last long: about a year and a half.

The other species, Eucalyptus gunnii or Cider Gum, leapt to the sky. It is now 35+ feet tall, greater than 14 inches circumference, and is the tallest tree that we planted since moving to this house 11 years ago. It has survived 0 to 5 degrees, and the terrible ice storm which rendered our landscape in Stone Mountain like a Civil War battlefield. The ice bent the whole tree to the ground, but within a year, it righted itself. It makes great flower arrangements.

The two eucalyptus plants were planted 30 feet apart, planted the same way, on the same day, and were bought from the same place: Forest Farm in Oregon. So I’d assume it’s the plant itself rather than other factors that caused one to survive while the other didn’t. Thanks for all the interesting information. Tim, Stone Mountain

Walter,
I had a 6 foot silver dollar eucalyptus in Toccoa, GA growing in among many young trees. We’ve moved now to Dahlonega, GA and in about 7+ years my new one has grown to only about 3 feet. It is growing under a pine tree and has winter kill at the top but the bottom usually survives the winter. I grew both of them from seed from Park Seed Co. So silver dollar does grow well north of Atlanta and does live for more then “a few years”. K. G., Dahlonega

Walter,
Saw your column on Eucalyptus today. At least one variety of Eucalyptus should do well here: Eucalyptus neglecta (just about everything I grow is a “neglecta,” but that’s another story). Admittedly I haven’t seen E. neglecta in Atlanta proper, but I’ve seen some real nice ones near Lake Oconee & also in Raleigh, NC at Tony Avent’s nursery — places not too different from here, climate-wise. Some varieties of E. gunnii aren’t too bad either. Anyhow if you go to the Hardy Palm & Subtropical Board and type in a question, “Which Eucalyptus are good for Atlanta/ z.7b?” you will get a lot more first-hand information than I can give you. W.R.
(Founding member of the Southeastern Palm & Exotic Plant Society)

Walter,
I have four eucalyptus species which have thrived for 11 years. I ordered small plants from Forestfarm Nursery in Oregon. I chose eucalypts which originated in the high mountains where the soil is wet and the temperatures are subject to freezing. They have done well. They are: Eucalyptus nova-anglica, E. neglecta, E. gunnii, and E. camphora. B. H., Tyrone

Walter,
I have a neighbor who has had a Silver Dollar gum for twelve years. It has reached a height of about 15 feet ...


http://www.walterree...uccess-stories/

[Iam Noone]

Which kind of eucalyptus? I have always wanted one, but I didn't think that they would grow here.

[ButterflyLion]

Iam Noone, on 22 March 2012 - 10:15 AM, said:

Which kind of eucalyptus? I have always wanted one, but I didn't think that they would grow here.

I'll check the tag. I believe it said "Silver Drop." If you look at the info on Walter Reeves's website you'll find the ones that many others have had success growing in Georgia.

[Sassy One]

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to go buy one. DH was very sick this winter. Dr. suggested steeping dried eucalyptus leaves like a tea, and then adding lots of honey. Made the very best cough syrup! Now I can grow my own for next year.

[ButterflyLion]

Sassy One, on 22 March 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to go buy one. DH was very sick this winter. Dr. suggested steeping dried eucalyptus leaves like a tea, and then adding lots of honey. Made the very best cough syrup! Now I can grow my own for next year.

Thanks for sharing. That's really intersting and good to know. It's also encouraging that his doctor recommended something that is natural.

[Palm Trees Rock]

Yes they will grow here(cold hardy types) and do really well. A lot of things are grown here people dont think about. Hibiscus, ginger, citrus, banana, oleander, palms, and many other plants!! Really neat at what will live here and do well!

[ButterflyLion]

PTR, on 22 March 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

Yes they will grow here(cold hardy types) and do really well. A lot of things are grown here people dont think about. Hibiscus, ginger, citrus, banana, oleander, palms, and many other plants!! Really neat at what will live here and do well!

Quote

Anyhow if you go to the Hardy Palm & Subtropical Board and type in a question, “Which Eucalyptus are good for Atlanta/ z.7b?” you will get a lot more first-hand information than I can give you. W.R.
(Founding member of the Southeastern Palm & Exotic Plant Society)

PTR, thanks. Are you familar with the "Hardy Palm & Subtropical Board" that is mentioned?

[A Gipper Girl]

I saw one as we were leaving the nursery last weekend. I REALLY want to go back and get it asap. I'm not sure which kind it was but it smelled wonderful. I've always wanted one. I'm in a different Zone here and I'm still learning about what is native and what grows best and when.

[lowrider]

I had one. And a lantana also.

We had a really bad freeze 2-3 years ago when it was like 10 degrees in February.

I lost both if them after having them for a couple of years and I had the lantana on the south side of the house.

I would just say plant it on the south side if you can.

Good luck!

[Happy Wife And Mom]

I want one. If memory serves correctly eucalyptus is also good at keeping fleas away.

[retiredteacher]

Don't plant it anywhere near your septic lines! Mine had to be pulled out of the ground after it grew into the lines. Not cheap!

[Palm Trees Rock]

yes on the palm board. Here is a link to the best one. Even thought palms are talked about a lot, so are all kinds of plants and topics!!

http://members3.boar....com/HardyPalm/

This post has been edited by PTR: 22 March 2012 - 04:05 PM

[ButterflyLion]

retiredteacher, on 22 March 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:

Don't plant it anywhere near your septic lines! Mine had to be pulled out of the ground after it grew into the lines. Not cheap!

I didn't know they would do something like that. How old was it before it caused problems? I wonder how many other trees can do that? I've heard that willows can.

[A Gipper Girl]

ButterflyLion, on 22 March 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

I didn't know they would do something like that. How old was it before it caused problems? I wonder how many other trees can do that? I've heard that willows can.

Yes and bamboo. Anything that roots deep and looks for water will eventually get into your septic lines. I fyou have to plant anything close, it can help to bury a trash can(commercial size)and planting it in there. Lots of digging but it does work.

[ButterflyLion]

This is the type I bought:

Eucalyptus gunni 'Silver Drop'

Eucalyptus gunni

'Silver Drop' Eucalyptus, sometimes called a "Cider Gum", is a great aromatic herb and has a lovely, small, silvery leaf . These stems work well in any arrangement and can be used both fresh and dried. Add this great filler to your flower garden for its height as a background plant and its unusual but beautiful look. A more cold-hardy variety of the Eucalyptus family, 'Silver Drop' has thrived on our farm here in zone 7, despite the harsh winters we sometimes get!

Medicinally, the essential oils from Eucalyptus 'Silver Drop' are used to relieve respiratory and sinus congestion and infection, rashes, sores and asthma. These oils are also used in deodorants, bath oils, shampoos and in Aromatherapy products.

Eucalyptus is easy to grow and maintain, both in the ground or in a container. It can be brought indoors to winter over, but be sure to give it lots of sunshine or ...

http://www.thegrower...p/her-euc01.htm

[retiredteacher]

ButterflyLion, on 22 March 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

I didn't know they would do something like that. How old was it before it caused problems? I wonder how many other trees can do that? I've heard that willows can.

I moved in here in 99 and it was taller than the back deck. The house was 3 or 4 years old.