#Fuchsia Mallee

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Josh shows us why eucalypt mallee trees in pots are perfect for the home garden.

Eucalypts have incredible diversity and are part of the fabric of Australia. Their distinctive silhouettes, the texture of their trunks, their striking flowers and that telltale scent of their leaves. Not all of them become towering giants like the Eucalyptus grandis, so if you do have ambitions to grow a eucalypt at home, there are plenty of smaller species well suited to a garden bed or even a pot!

Mallees:

These are eucalyptus that grow multiple trunks from a woody lignotuber at the base. Mallees tick a lot of boxes for home gardens as they are typically smaller than their single-trunk counterparts, and often range between 4 and 10 metres tall. They also respond well to pruning, so you can keep them compact.

Swamp Mallee | Eucalyptus spathulata:

The fine blue-grey leaves are the highlight of this tree, giving it a tight and frothy form at a distance. This tree is from the wheat belt region inland from Perth, and in season it produces tiny white flowers.

Fuchsia Mallee | Eucalyptus forrestiana:

It's the buds that are the draw card for this tree which comes from the Esperance region of WA. The buds are bright red and appear at the very end of the branches for maximum exposure, a bit like Christmas tree ornaments. These buds give way to bright yellow flowers.

Illyarrie | Eucalyptus erythrocorys:

This tree from the Jurien Bay to Shark Bay regions north of Perth is also a feast for the eyes. It has red buds and large yellow flowers which develop into big woody gumnuts. The strappy leaves and smooth bark are also standout features.

These three examples illustrate why selection will be your most difficult task. Each has its own charm and all of them would make the striking feature plant in a pot.

Mallee Pot:

Choose a plant that is big enough to make a bit of an impact but not too big that it’s difficult to handle. The pot needs to be big enough so the tree can grow in it for a couple of years and develop decent roots. It also needs to be big enough and heavy enough, so the tree won't topple over in the wind when it develops a canopy. Avoid pots that taper towards the top as this will make it impossible to pull the root ball out when you want to re-pot or plant out later. Decent drainage is a must, so make sure there are holes at the bottom.

The right potting mix is critical. A few years back, Josh had a young Eucalyptus rhodantha in a pot that died because the mix didn't have adequate drainage. A good mix for natives in pots is a blend of sand, coir and composted pine bark because it's porous so the roots won't rot. Add a bit of coarse mulch on top to help keep the roots cool and the look tidy. Water regularly during dry periods but make sure the water is able to drain freely.

Eucalypts prefer full sun, so find a good spot for it. You'll also need to repot it every few years, or better still, plant it out into the garden so it can reach its full potential. In the meantime, you'll be able to enjoy it just like this – your eucalypt in a pot!