Many varieties of native plants may be used for hedges. This time we are thinking “outside the square” and suggest using eucalypts to create a rather different, eye-catching hedge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Many eucalypts have a swollen root mass known as a lignotuber. The lignotuber has a number of dormant buds that if the plant is burnt or cut down, then these buds spring into life. Each bud develops into a stem. In some cases, one stem dominates and the tree regenerates with one trunk. Other species maintain multiple trunks and adopt a mallee growth habit.
This characteristic may be used to develop eucalypt hedges. Once the trees reach about two metres then they are cut off about 30-45 centimetres above the ground. This is known as coppicing.
The Victorian silver gum is rare in nature but is widely cultivated as a tree.
This activates the dormant buds and multiple trunks develop. Then it is up to the gardener to keep the trees at the desired height. An annual prune will keep the eucalypts at this height.
Trees should be planted about one and a half metres apart. Tube stock is the best to plant. They develop faster than advanced plants and are considerably cheaper.
The next decision is whether to use one species or a number of eucalypts. If a number of species are used then it is possible to have an interesting hedge that makes use of different leaf shapes and colours.
The following species all develop lignotubers and will survive and thrive in local gardens.
Eucalyptus crenulata, Victorian silver gum, usually develops into a tree but by coppicing, cutting the stem off at 30-45 centimetres, multiple stems will develop. The leaves of the regrowth are oval to heart-shaped, greyish with the underside waxy white.
The Victorian silver gum is rare in nature but is widely cultivated as a tree. Using the species as a hedge would be a departure from normal cultivation.
Eucalyptus pulverulenta, the silver-leaved mountain gum, is a rare species from southern NSW. After coppicing, plants will develop the usual multiple stems with greyish, round leaves with a waxy coating. The foliage is an eye-catching feature.
Eucalyptus gillii, the curly mallee, is a native of South Australia and western NSW.
The curly mallee has circular leaves that are silvery-blue. Both the foliage shape and colour would provide an eye-catching addition to a eucalypt hedge. The foliage may have a future in the cut flower trade.
Eucalyptus approximans, the Barren Mountain mallee, is a very rare local species that grows east of Armidale. In the wild, this species will sometimes form large lignotubers that develop due to bushfires.
The leaves are narrow, shiny green and reach six centimetres in length. The foliage, in a hedge, would provide a contrast with the grey-foliage eucalypts.
Eucalyptus gregsoniana, the dwarf snow gum, as the common name implies, comes from the high country in southern NSW and northern Victoria.
Leaves are leathery, shiny, green and lance-shaped. The side veins are almost parallel to the leaf margin. Most eucalypt leaves have veins that are at an acute angle to the margin.
For a different hedge, try coppiced eucalypts. All the species described survive and thrive in our area.
