Eucalyptus caesia ( Silver Princess ) is a flowering tree that is native to south western Western Australia. Silver Princess or Gungurru is a species of mallee that is grown as an ornamental in temperate climates. The tree has a natural weeping form and produce pink to red blooms during winter and spring. In Autumn, the gum nuts turn a silvery white colour which carries on to winter.
Suitable for temperate and sub-tropical climates.
The other common name Gungurru, comes from the indigenous Aboriginals of Australia.
Growth
Eucalyptus caesia is an ornamental native that grows to a maximum height of 14 metres (50 feet). Rarely in cultivation do they reach that size and will more often grow 3-6 metres (10-20 feet). They enjoy climates with dry summers and don’t require much maintenance. Seeds germinate easily in moist soil and young plants can grown quickly. Silver Princess trunks are a reddish colour and becomes the backdrop for an attractive display as the bark peels off.
The bark is known as minni ritchi with the red peeling off to reveal lighter colours underneath. Pink to red flower buds arrive in late autumn and then flower throughout the winter and into early spring. This beautiful tree gets its common name from the white powder that covers the branches, flowers and gum nuts making them look silver.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 25°C / 23 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 45 metres (150 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 8 metres (25 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
10-15 years
GERMINATION RATES:
82%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 70
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS CAESIA (Silver Princess)
There are two sub-species of the Silver Princess. These seeds come from the Eucalyptus caesia subsp: magna which is renowned for its weeping form. The other species is Eucalyptus caesia subsp: caesia which is shorter, has smaller leaves and flowers and has an upright form.
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS TREES IN GENERAL
Every year Eucalyptus trees add a new layer of bark and the outmost layer dies and peels off.
Eucalyptus trees make up around 75% of Australia’s forests and have adapted to the seasonal bushfires with the ability to re-sprout directly after a fire. Studies have found that many Eucalyptus seeds are triggered by the smoke of fires and that sowing with ash in the soil improves germination rates.
Many Eucalyptus species are grown worldwide for their honey, essential oils and paper pulpwood. As they are considered fast-growing they are also highly sought after for regeneration, water stability and mining closures.
During Captain Cook’s third voyage to Australia in 1777, David Nelson collected the first Eucalyptus specimen to reach Europe. Eucalyptus trees in Australia take up an area bigger than New South Wales and over seven times the size of England.
The majority of Eucalyptus species do well in a wide range of climates and most can withstand a light frost of −5 °C (23 °F).
