Small Western Australian weeping eucalypt to 6 m with smooth red bark shedding to reveal pale cream beneath, silvered branchlets, and large pendant pink or red flowers with grey buds in winter and spring.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–10 | −6.7 °C to 4.4 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H3 | −5 °C to 1 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 4–6 | 0 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Silver princess gum
Eucalypts are defined by a feature visible before the flower opens: the bud is capped by a lid formed from fused sepals and petals, which is shed as the flower expands. The name comes from Greek roots meaning well-covered, referring to exactly that. Most species carry juvenile and adult leaves of markedly different shape, often with the juvenile foliage held horizontally and the adult foliage hanging vertically to reduce heat load. Many rely on fire, resprouting from protected buds beneath the bark or from a woody lignotuber at the base.
Growing notes
- Endemic to a small area of granite outcrops in southwestern Western Australia — IUCN listed as Endangered in the wild
- Among the most ornamental smaller eucalypts — perfect size for suburban gardens
- Cultivar ‘Silver Princess’ is the standard commercial form with maximum silver-blue branchlets
- Drought tolerant once established, demands sharp drainage
Pet caution: Silver princess gum is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
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