tree

Cider Gum

The Story

Plant Bio

Eucalyptus gunnii, the cider gum, is an upright, evergreen tree native to Tasmania that reaches fifty feet or more in cultivation, featuring smooth, peeling bark in shades of white, gray, and brown. The species is highly prized for its rounded, glaucous silver-blue juvenile foliage, which eventually transitions to narrow, dull green lanceolate leaves as the tree matures.

This species is exceptionally cold-hardy for a eucalyptus, surviving temperatures down to -4°F once fully established in the landscape. It produces small clusters of white to pale yellow flowers from summer into fall, which attract bees and other beneficial insects.

Uses & Benefits:

Highly valued for its rounded, glaucous silver-blue juvenile foliage and smooth, peeling multicolored bark.

Excellent source of cut foliage for floral arrangements; can be managed as a small shrub through regular coppicing.

Flowers provide nectar for bees, beneficial insects, and occasional visiting hummingbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

600"

Width

300"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

High

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with highly draining loam, sand, or clay soil, ensuring the spot never pools water.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and tease out any circling roots to ensure proper structural anchoring.
Plant at the same depth as the nursery container, backfill, and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then reduce watering significantly.

Pro Tip

Tease out or score circling roots of nursery stock at planting to prevent fatal anchor-root failure in maturity. If coppicing annually for juvenile foliage, perform the cut in early spring; cutting too late in fall allows frost to enter fresh wounds and kill the plant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune in early spring if managing the tree as a coppiced shrub for juvenile foliage.
Ensure the soil has excellent drainage, especially in regions with wet summers.
Protect young plants from deer and rabbit browsing using physical barriers.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as the stems will fail to resprout.
Do not over-fertilize, as excess nutrients lead to weak, floppy growth susceptible to wind damage.
Avoid planting in low-lying, waterlogged areas where root rot can develop.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen TreeFoliage AccentWindbreakScreening

Companion Plants

Lavandula angustifolia Festuca glauca Rosmarinus officinalis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cider Gum questions

What zones can Cider Gum grow in?

Cider Gum is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Cider Gum deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Cider Gum, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Cider Gum bloom?

Cider Gum typically blooms in summer through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cider Gum need full sun?

Cider Gum does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Cider Gum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cider Gum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.