Eucalyptus polyanthemos
silver dollar gum
Overview
Eucalyptus polyanthemos is an evergreen tree growing 30-65 feet (9-20 m) tall with a spreading crown 20-40 feet (6-12 m) wide and a single, often crooked trunk. The bark is grey to grey-brown, fibrous and persistent on the trunk and larger branches, shedding in ribbons on the upper limbs to reveal paler wood. Juvenile leaves are rounded to broadly oval, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, silvery grey-green, and held in pairs on the stem. Adult leaves are oval to lance-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, dull grey-green, and hang on slender stalks. White flowers about 0.3 inch (7 mm) across open in branched clusters at the branch tips. Flowering occurs from spring into summer, mainly September to January in the native range. Small woody capsules 0.2-0.3 inch (5-7 mm) wide follow. The tree grows on dry, shallow soils in eastern Australia and tolerates drought, heat, and moderate frost. It is sensitive to prolonged waterlogging, and the silvery juvenile foliage is cut for the floristry trade. Surface roots and shed bark accumulate beneath the canopy.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, in Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland. It grows on dry ridges, slopes, and shallow stony soils in open box woodland.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade and feature tree in dry gardens, parks, and rural plantings in warm to cool-temperate climates. The silvery juvenile foliage is cut for fresh and dried arrangements. The flowers are a nectar source for bees and birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 65'
Width/Spread20' - 40'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from spring into summer, mainly September to January in the native range and in the corresponding warm months in Northern Hemisphere cultivation. White flowers about 0.3 inch (7 mm) across open in branched clusters over several weeks. Flowering varies in intensity from year to year.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Silvery grey-green (juvenile), dull grey-green (adult)Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Eucalyptus polyanthemos in full sun and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5; it tolerates shallow, stony, and dry ground. Once established it survives on rainfall in dry climates and needs irrigation only in extended drought. Prolonged waterlogging and heavy wet soils cause root problems. The tree withstands frost to about 18 F (-8 C) once established, with young trees more sensitive. Cutting the stems back hard produces flushes of the rounded silvery juvenile foliage used in arrangements.Pruning
Prune in the first years to set a single leader and lift the lower canopy. Coppicing or hard pruning in late winter forces new silvery juvenile growth for cutting. Heavy cuts into old limbs can lead to decay, so they are kept to a minimum on mature trees.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter