Eucalyptus Azura

jasonb

Hi, we have decided to opt for some low maintenance borders and have planted a mix of red robin and Eucalyptus Azura. We have since been told the dangers of how the roots grow on eucalyptus and wanted to know if this variety is as bad as they do span away from the house, but the nearest one is only about 10 feet from our house. I have read a few articles saying it’s root system is much less aggressive - is that true? We have also staggered them between the red robins rather than planting in a straight line in line with them - will that look odd when they mature? Many thanks in advance for any advise!

fidgetbones

Are you going to let them grow tall, or pollard them down every year?

jasonb

@fidgetbones Probably not let them grow too tall. Probably keep the eucalyptus shorter than the red robins - not over a metre perhaps?

fidgetbones

Azura is a new development, recommended for hedging, but will grow 3 to 4 ft a year. You will need to make sure it is cut down each year to maintain the bushiness.  As to roots, it is a bit of an unknown quantity. If yours is a modern house on a concrete raft, There should not be any problems.  If you let it grow 30 ft tall, and planted next to the house, it may be a problem. My nan had a E. Gunnii planted a foot from the house, and it grew as tall as the house.  Despite being a 1930's semi, the roots were not a problem. The shade it produced was, and it was cut down.

jasonb

Thanks @fidgetbones for the advise!

Pete.8

I planted a little E.Gunnii around 30 years ago.
20ish years later - 
I had  it removed about 10 years ago by which time it was around 100ft

You don't want something like that 10ft from your house
Best to keep them hard pruned.

fidgetbones

Eucalyptus  Azura is being sold as a form suitable for keeping short and hedging. Mind you, so was the infamous  Cupressus x Leylandii. The trick is to keep on top of it. Kept well trimmed , Leylandii does what is says, a fast growing hedge suitable for screening.  Left to it's own devices it turns into a monster.  Azura may be a perfect new Eucalyptus for  small gardens.  Yesterday I was at Kew. We have a Eucalyptus periniana I grew from seed. I have cut it down twice. It is currently multistemmed, about 30 ft tall and 50 ft from the house.  The one at Kew is single stemmed and has a trunk about three foot across. It is also at least twice the height of mine.  It just need keeping under control in a garden setting.

jasonb

Thanks @fidgetbones @Pete.8