Photo of Eucalyptus parvula form by Cistus Nursery

Photo by Cistus Nursery

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Eucalyptus parvula

Also Known As

  • Eucalyptus parvifolia
  • Small Leaf Gum
  • Small-Leafed Gum

Plant type

tree

size

  • H: 20'-35'
  • W: 15'-25'

planting zones

  • 7b-11

More Options

Eucalyptus parvula plant details

Eucalyptus parvula is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen tree with green and purple foliage. In fall and summer white flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Eucalyptus parvula

Plant type: tree
Plant family: myrtaceae
Foliage: evergreen green and purple
Mature size: 15 FT - 25 FT - wide, 20 FT - 35 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: distinctive bark

GROWING CONDITIONS for Eucalyptus parvula

USDA Zones: 7b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

An attractive, compact tree which is often multi-trunked slowly reaches 30 feet (taller if it's really happy!). Lovey little oval 2-3" leaves on a widely branched crown; from meadow land in a limited area of New South Wales with mild summers and cold winters. Beautiful peeling bark reveals greens, purples and blues. The foliage is often used in floral arrangements. Rated to 5° F., but is reported to have recovered from -12° F. S/M-D
Every year we carry a number of different cold hardy eucalyptus species. They are evergreen, fast-growing trees often with bluish-green, grey, or silver foliage. They usually have tall columnar shapes that do not cast too much shade. Eucalyptus are great for contributing to that subtropical look in your garden or for a spot that demands an intriguing signature tree. In the past we have carried: subcrenulata, parvifolia, dalrympleana, bridgesiana, neglecta, johnstonii, ovata, perriniana and more.
For good info on Eucalyptus parvula, go to http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp12/eucalyptus-parvula.html; this one grows fine in my zone 7 climate.
This “small leaved gum” is aptly named: attractive dark green-grey juvenile leaves change over to small, narrow semi-pendulous adult leaves.  The branch structure of older trees takes on an exotic looking growth habit.  It is one of the very hardiest eucs along with E. neglecta (though quite different in appearance), tolerating temperatures below 0°F - it has even reached tree size in Delaware!  Literature states that this is a small tree, but I have seen examples of this species 60' tall and 80' wide so watch out!  Another collection from my garden in Olympia, WA. 
An extremely well-mannered, small tree, often multi-trunked, growing slowly to 35' or so with a broad, graceful form, somewhat flat-topped with age. Narrowly oval adult leaves of 2-3" -- deep, matte green with purple and blue overtones -- follow the rounded juvenile foliage. The bark is colorful as well, brown peeling to pink and green patches. These tolerate drought and somewhat poor drainage, though well-drained soil is best in full to part sun. Frost hardy to 5 °F, mid USDA zone 7. Can resprout from the base.

Gardening facts about Eucalyptus parvula plant

How to Grow Eucalyptus parvula

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • lean
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • purple
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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