A hardy small to medium gum with smooth cream bark and showy pink to red flowers through the cooler months that draw flocks of honeyeaters. A reliable street and shade tree.
At a glance
- Plant type: Tree
- Mature size: 10 m H × 6 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Yellow Gum
Botanically, Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' is a fast-growing tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to Victoria and South Australia. It reaches around 10 m tall and 6 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Pink and red flowers appear in autumn, winter and spring.
Where to grow Yellow Gum
Yellow Gum suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate, Mediterranean and arid and semi-arid climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Yellow Gum does best in clay, loamy and free-draining soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Yellow Gum is very drought tolerant once established, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Yellow Gum after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Yellow Gum in the garden
Yellow Gum earns its place for a shade tree, a feature or specimen planting and drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Yellow Gum with other plants that enjoy the same very drought tolerant and warm-temperate climate. Repeat it through a border to tie the planting together and give a sense of rhythm. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Yellow Gum
Plant Sale lists Yellow Gum as tube stock, potted plants, advanced specimens and seed. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Yellow Gum seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.