Eucalyptus polyanthemos Red Box is a unique evergreen tree native to Australia, prized for its stunning open structure, intriguing peeling bark, and attractive, aromatic, blue-green foliage. With a crown shaped like a dome, this tree adds a touch of elegance to any garden. The youthful leaves are a silvery blue-green, transitioning to a more mature gray-green as the tree ages. The leaves sway gently in the breeze, creating a soothing rustling sound, while the arrival of spring brings small white flowers and delicate seed pods. The young branches can be harvested for decorative foliage or for a unique addition to floral arrangements.
With a growth rate of approximately 36 inches per year, this tree matures into a rounded shape, reaching heights of 35 to 75 feet and spreading 15 to 45 feet. To ensure an upright structure, it is recommended to stake the tree while it's young. Red Box Eucalyptus is known for minimal litter, making it an excellent choice as a landscape specimen, a resilient street tree, or even as a houseplant.
For optimal growth, this Eucalyptus prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil and a pH ranging from slightly acidic to highly alkaline. The Red Box Eucalyptus is a hardy variety, tolerating drought and heat once established. It showcases resistance to Texas root rot and verticillium but may be susceptible to beetle borers, armillaria, and root rot. Over-irrigation may lead to leaf chlorosis.
