Eucalyptus macrocarpa ( Rose of the West ) is a mallee that is native to a small band of Western Australia. Rose of the West is notable for having the largest flower in the Eucalyptus family. Red flowers of up to 10 cm (4 inches) bloom throughout Spring and Summer and attract bees and birds into the garden. They enjoy Mediterranean climates, are very low-maintenance and fit comfortably in the backyard.
Suitable for Temperate, Mediterranean and Sub-Tropical climates.
Rose of the West is an unusual but attractive native tree or shrub that grows well in dry regions. In the wild it is found inland from Perth ranging up to near Geraldton in Western Australia. A quick search through forums have uncovered successful flowering occurs in temperate areas near Melbourne and southern sub-tropical regions including coastal New South Wales.
Other common names include Mottlecar and Mottelcah.
Growth
Eucalyptus macrocarpa is a sprawling mallee shrub or tree that reaches a compact height of up to 4 metres (12 feet). Rose of the West enjoys dry, low-nutrient soils and can tolerate long periods of drought. In cold, moist conditions this species can be a challenge to grow. The two major issues are water drainage and soils that are far too rich in nutrients. In these climates, starting them in pots is great because the right soil environment can be created. A mix of half sand and half bland soil without manure or compost is best suited to growing Rose of the West.
The leaves are one of the main attractions. They are ovate to heart-shaped, appear silver or grey and grow to size of around 12 cm by 8 cm (4 inches by 3 inches). Attractive red flowers bloom from early Spring to mid-Summer and can be 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. The gum nuts that follow are also a feature of the tree as they are also silver in colour.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 45°C / 23 to 113°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining poor soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 4 metres (12 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
81%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 70
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS MACROCARPA (Rose of the West)
A specimen of Rose of the West was grown from seed successfully in London at the Kew Gardens in 1842. By 1847 it was reported to be flowering.
Paper production is one of the most commo
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS IN GENERAL
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.
The word Eucalyptus is from two words from Ancient Greece translated to good conceal or well hidden. This refers to the operulum covering over the flower buds during spring and summer.
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).
Eucalyptus trees are grown in Algeria, Lebanon, California and parts of Europe to help reduce malaria by soaking up excess water.
