Eucalyptus fills a garden or a bouquet with its distinctive, medicinal-sweet scent, its silvery-blue rounded leaves as popular in floral arrangements as they are in the landscape.
Native to Australia, eucalyptus includes hundreds of species ranging from towering forest trees to smaller garden and container varieties, most grown for their fast growth, drought tolerance, and unmistakable fragrant foliage.
Eucalyptus wants full sun and well-draining soil, and it grows remarkably fast once established, tolerating drought better than most ornamentals. Many gardeners in cooler climates grow smaller varieties as annuals or in containers specifically for cutting and floral use.
Eucalyptus oil, extracted from the leaves, is a common ingredient in cough drops, chest rubs, and decongestants, valued for its cooling, clearing effect when inhaled.
