In larger gardens and rural properties, a mix of eucalypts with different bark types would make an eye-catching landscape feature. The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra displays various eucalypts in a large lawn. The downside to this garden is the time taken to mow around the trees.

A more interesting way to display eucalypt trunks is to plant them in a native garden composed of a range of shrubs. As the tree develop the trunks will reveal themselves above the shrubs. Mowing is avoided, the shrub layer will be another attractive feature and, from our experience, small native birds will flock to this combination.

These are some eucalypts suitable for use in this landscape feature. Firstly some rough-barked species will be described then some with smooth bark.

Eucalyptus laevopinea, the silvertop stringybark, is common throughout the Tablelands. This tall tree has typical rough bark, large, leathery leaves and in winter and spring produces masses of white flowers. Honeyeaters, of all sizes, and honey bees are attracted to the flowers.

Eucalyptus sideroxylon, mugga ironbark, is a tall, single-trunked tree with dramatic, black, deeply furrowed bark. Flowers are pink and lorikeets make their presence heard when ironbarks are flowering. A population, of mugga ironbarks west of Armidale provide a haven for the rare and threatened regent honeyeater.

Eucalyptus albens, the white box, is a tall tree with fibrous-flaky bark. The large leaves are grey-green. Because of the foliage colour the white box stands out in forest situations amongst the foliage of other eucalypts. The large white flowers are carried in clusters of seven.