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Tasmanian Blue Gum

Eucalyptus globulus

Also listed as Eucalyptus gigantea, Eucalyptus perfoliata

Also known as Blue Gum, Southern Blue-gum, Victorian Blue Gum

tree☀️ full sun💧 low water❄ Hardy: Zone 8b – Zone 11b

Climate Match for your location

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A fast-growing evergreen tree with silvery-blue foliage and white flowers, native to Tasmania. It thrives in warm, dry climates and is drought-tolerant once established.

Why grow it

Eucalyptus globulus grows faster and taller than many other eucalypts suited to temperate climates, making it useful where rapid biomass or screening is needed. Its cold tolerance exceeds that of tropical eucalypt species, allowing cultivation in cooler regions within USDA zones 8-10. The strongly aromatic foliage and essential oil content have made it a historical choice for windbreaks and medicinal use, though other eucalypts may perform equally well with fewer management demands.

Watch out for

Young trees benefit from staking in windy sites, as rapid growth can result in weak branch angles or instability. Leaf litter and shed bark can accumulate heavily, potentially inhibiting understory growth or creating a persistent mulch layer that may harbor pests. The shallow root system may compete vigorously with nearby plantings and can damage nearby structures or pavements if sited too close.

Overview

Form
Pyramidal
Growth Rate
fast
Size
40–160′ tall × 30–60′ wide
Dormancy
evergreen
Family
Myrtaceae
biomass/mulchfiberwildlife benefitwindbreakedible
Coppicing

Native Range

Tasmania, Australia

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

leaf

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Notable Cultivars

'Compacta' is a smaller, more rounded selection reaching 30–50 feet, better for limited spaces. 'Azura' is a compact ornamental form with more intense blue foliage.

Similar canopy trees you might consider:

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Companion Planting

Plants well with