| Botanic name | Corymbia citriodora |
| Other names | Lemon-scented gum |
| Main Origin | Northeastern Australia |
| Mature size | 3 – 8 m x 8 – 25 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Spreading, umbrella-shaped open canopy |
| Foliage | Lance- or sickle-shaped, glossy bright green |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Position | Full sun |
| Soil | Adaptable to various soil types |
| Water | Minimal, deep watering during prolonged dry spells |
| Climate | Semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical, tropical |
| Flower | Creamy white, mainly in spring |
| Use | Specimen tree, avenue planting, windbreaks |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal regions |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum is a modern horticultural marvel that embodies natural elegance, aroma, and striking visual appeal in a compact form.
As a grafted version of iconic Corymbia citriodora, Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum captures the best of its parent species while offering unique attributes ideal for small contemporary gardens.
With several cultivars available, each with a specific size and form, Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum offers flexibility with a unique proposition in modern landscape designs.
Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
Corymbia citriodora, or Lemon-scented Gum, is a majestic tree that truly defines a landscape. With a stately, single-trunk, it rises to impressive heights – between 25 and 40 metres – creating a commanding presence in the expansive outdoors.
This species originates from inland and coastal regions of northeastern Australia. While naturally thriving in subtropical and tropical climates, it also adapts well to warm and cool temperate, Mediterranean, and semi-arid zones.
Due to its exceptional adaptability and widespread plantings, Corymbia citriodora has prospered or become naturalised in various regions outside its natural habitats.
In some regions, where conditions are favourable to its growth and spread, Lemon-scented Gum can become invasive through self-seeding. Its ability to outcompete native vegetation has raised concerns about ecological impacts in sensitive environments.
Corymbia citriodora is highly drought-resistant. While it can tolerate mild frost, it does not perform in cold zones where severe frosts occur. This plant prefers light, sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils, although it can adapt to heavier clay or peaty soils with proper drainage.
It is also known for resilient growth in nutrient-poor soils – a valuable attribute in urban landscapes where soil conditions can be less than ideal. While the species is not particularly salt-tolerant, it can adapt to some salt exposure, making it suitable for coastal sites where salinity is not excessively high.
The tree’s smooth, pale bark, which shifts in tone from white to light grey or soft pink, reflects sunlight and highlights its monumental presence. Its broad canopy offers generous shade, making it a natural focal point in large gardens, parks, and streetscapes.
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum is a grafted dwarf cultivar of Corymbia citriodora. It retains all the hallmark features of Corymbia citriodora, including its smooth, pale bark and invigorating citrus fragrance, while offering exceptional adaptability for smaller landscapes.
Trunk and branches
Its smooth, slender trunk rises elegantly. It is adorned with a silken bark that peels in delicate layers, revealing a luminous palette of pale creams and soft salmon hues.
This ever-changing surface catches the light, creating a dynamic interplay of colour and texture that enhances its striking form.
The branches of Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum often extend in fluid, sweeping lines, curving gently as they cascade down, contributing to the tree’s refined, elegant shape.
Compact growth habit
Equally impressive is its compact growth habit. Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum develops an elegant upright trunk with a compact canopy, with distinctive forms and sizes depending on the cultivar.
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum has a moderate growth rate and can reach a height of 6 – 10 metres. This low profile makes it an excellent choice for establishing a feature tree in a small garden, without the overwhelming bulk that some larger trees can impose.
Weeping foliage
Another enchanting feature of the dwarf cultivar is its elegant, weeping foliage. Its leaves are elongated, narrow, lance-shaped, deep green, smooth and glossy. The foliage often carries a strong, lemony scent.
The long and slender foliage and cascading form give the tree a soft, flowing appearance, creating a sense of movement and fluidity and adding natural elegance and softness to spaces that may otherwise feel rigid and stark.
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum varieties
Three Corymbia citriodora cultivars stand out for their distinctive ornamental and aromatic qualities: ‘Scentuous,’ ‘Baby Citro,’ and ‘Lemon Essence.’ Although all three originate from the iconic Lemon-scented Gum, each grafted cultivar exhibits unique traits that cater to different landscaping needs and aesthetic preferences.
- Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’: ‘Scentuous’ features a slender and upright form. It typically grows 8 – 10 meters tall and 3 – 4 metres wide. This cultivar is an excellent option for creating a vertical accent in a tight space.
- Corymbia citriodora ‘Baby Citro’: ‘Baby Citro’ adopts a dense growth habit and a low profile. It grows to a height of 6 meters and a spread of 4 metres. This cultivar is not as tall and slender as ‘Scentuous,’ making it an ideal feature tree when height matters.
- Corymbia citriodora ‘Lemon Essence’: “Lemon Essence’ develops an expansive, uniform, rounded canopy. The mature plant typically reaches a height and width of 6 – 8 metres. It is an ideal canopy tree for a larger space.
Final thoughts
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum is designed to deliver the full impact of its parent species in a compact and manageable form. These grafted cultivars are perfect for contemporary landscapes, with their luminous, smooth bark, compact form, and elegantly weeping foliage.
Its adaptability to various climates and soils and its low-maintenance nature make it a sustainable choice for gardeners and landscapers seeking to create dynamic, eco-friendly outdoor spaces.
Embrace the radiant allure of Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’ and transform your garden into a modern oasis of elegant charm and enduring beauty.
FAQs
How big does a Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum get?
Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’) can grow to a height of 6 – 8 meters and a width of 3 – 4 metres. Depending on the growing environment, it reaches its maximum height in 10 years on average.
Are Lemon-scented Gums fast-growing?
Lemon-scented gum is a fast-growing tree with an impressive growth rate of 2 meters per year. In contrast, Dwarf Lemon-scented Gum shows moderate growth due to its grafted nature and the rootstock that limits its root expansion.
How do you care for Lemon-scented Gums?
Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) is a low-maintenance tree that thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. During its first few years, regular, deep watering is essential to establish a robust root system, after which the tree becomes highly drought-tolerant.
A generous layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture and maintain a stable soil temperature. Minimal pruning is helpful. Remove dead or damaged branches to keep the natural form intact and ensure good air circulation.
Although mature Lemon-scented Gums handle occasional frost, some protection during severe cold spells can benefit young trees.
What is the Lemon-scented Gum’s lifespan?
Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) is celebrated for its remarkable longevity. They often live for 100 years or more.
