Covering The Landscape
Under The
Rainbow Eucalyptus deglupta
features striking,
multicolored bark.
Water Liberally
Although not widely used, rainbow eucalyptus Water is very
can make a strong statement in moist, important to rain-
bow eucalyptus,
tropical landscapes. especially when
it is young. If
By LariAnn Garner have their first experience with these this tree is grown
aroidian@att.net trees while visiting Hawaii. under condi-
Rainbows are tropical trees accus- tions where water is not abundant,
W hile eucalyptus trees may inspire tomed to a rainforest type of environ- the growth rate will be much slower,
thoughts of the land “Down ment. While they grow more slowly and the exfoliation will occur in small
Under” and koala bears, the rainbow in the cooler winter weather of South flecks rather than long strips. When
eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) Florida, the trees retain their leaves growing in containers, never allow E.
is unique among eucalypts. Unlike year-round. Rainbows should be deglupta to dry out, as this can prove
other members of the genus, rainbow protected from freezes, but they can fatal to the tree very quickly.
eucalyptus hails from the Philippine withstand light frost conditions for For landscape use, the ideal loca-
Islands; specifically, the island of Min- short periods. Summertime is when tion for rainbow eucalyptus is near
danao, which is why the tree is also these trees can really show their vigor freshwater ponds, lakes, or canals.
referred to as a Mindanao gum. E. de- and growth speed. They may grow 8 to Mature trees can survive and grow in
glupta was introduced to the Hawaiian 10 feet in a growing season, and even drier areas, but they become their most
Islands in 1929. In fact, many people more with extremely good care. luxuriant when they have access to
abundant moisture.
Rainbow eucalyptus is a fast-growing Beautiful Bark
Other Advantages
tree that retains its leaves year-round. The tree gets its common name
from the striking stripes of color on E. deglupta is largely pest-free.
its trunks and limbs. While they look Occasionally a few mealybugs or
as though they were painted on, these aphids may appear, and the odd
ever-changing colors are an entirely caterpillar or leafcutting bee may
natural feature. Unlike trees such as disfigure some leaves, but the tree
oaks, rainbow eucalyptus does not can be grown without excessive
have a thick, corky layer of bark on the concern about pest damage.
trunk. Instead, the bark is smooth and Growers should consider an applica-
vibrantly alive, and as it grows, it ex- tion of mycorrhizal inoculum to their
foliates thin layers of spent tissue. This plantings, especially when planting
process occurs in irregular zones at dif- in developed areas where the soil has
ferent times. Once the layers come off, been severely disturbed.
they reveal new and fresh green bark. Although rainbow eucalyptus is
As the newly exposed bark slowly a wonder to behold and can add a
ages, it changes from bright green to a magical dimension to the landscape, it
darker green, then bluish to purplish, produces none of the familiar aromatic
and then pink-orange. Finally, the oils that other eucalypts do — making
color becomes a brownish maroon it ideal for those who desire a quieter
right before exfoliation occurs. Since olfactory environment.
this process is happening in differ- This tree deserves to be more widely
ent zones of the trunk and in different planted in the warmer climate areas of
stages, simultaneously, the colors are the mainland United States. For more
varied and almost constantly changing. information on rainbow eucalyptus, see
As a result, the tree will never have the http://eucalyptusdeglupta.com. ■
same color pattern twice, making it LariAnn Garner is a research botanist at Aroidia Research in
like a work of living art. Florida City, FL.
22 OrnamentalOutlook•September2006