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. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Yellow Gum handles dry conditions well once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. New plantings need closer moisture checks in hot or windy weather, with watering tapered once strong new growth appears.
Pruning & care
Prune Yellow Gum after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Expect a low maintenance care workload once it is established.
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 easier irrigation and care, group Yellow Gum with species that also favour very drought tolerant and warm-temperate climate. Leave enough room for the mature spread so neighbouring plants are not crowded out. 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. Catalogue forms are planning guidance until the Plant Sale team confirms live availability.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Yellow Gum seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
