Eucalyptus are much faster growing than most other trees in cultivation. When planted right and growing where happy, there are many species that will add from 6 to 10 feet in height in a single growing season! Exceptions include some of the snow gums such as Eucalyptus pauciflora and Eucalyptus gregsoniana. These slower growing varieties usually take a couple years to establish growing maybe a foot or two a year, which lends well to planting in smaller landscape spaces and containers. But even the now gums can put on 4 to 6 feet a year once established.
First, eucs have it much easier in cultivation and in the U.S. than they do in their native habitats in Australia. Here in the U.S. they are not bothered by grazing kangaroos, koalas, and all sorts of insect pests.
Another reason Eucalyptus grow so fast is that they don't go dormant in the way most other types of trees do. All they need to continue growing is a little warmth and water, no matter what time of year.
When growing Eucalyptus in your own landscape be sure to limit competition from lawn grasses and weeds. We suggest growing them in mulched landscape beds and borders and at least 10 feet or more away from lawn areas. Eucalyptus trees don't require fertilizer, and in fact can be harmed by it, so keeping them a good distance from a regularly fertilized lawn is important. Needless to say, if a Eucalyptus tree is planted in the middle of a pasture or lawn expect a much slower growth rate.
Here are the fastest growing Eucalyptus selections in the Southern Eucs Collection...
Eucalyptus pauciflora ‘Mappa Tassie’
Eucalyptus parvula ‘Funky Monkey’
Eucalyptus stellulata ‘Sheila’
Eucalyptus nova-anglica ‘Maggie’
Eucalyptus camphora ‘Lucky Country’
Eucalyptus pulverulenta 'Bluey'
