| Botanic name | Eucalyptus pauciflora |
| Other names | Snow Gum, cabbage gum, white sally |
| Main Origin | Eastern to southeastern Australia |
| Mature size | 4 – 10 m x 10 – 30 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Crooked, twisted trunk, rounded or irregular canopy |
| Foliage | Lance-shaped, leathery, glossy, grey- or olive-green |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Position | Full sun |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Occasional deep watering during dry months |
| Climate | Alpine, temperate, Mediterranean, mild subtropical |
| Flower | Profuse, clustered, white flowers in spring and summer |
| Use | Feature specimen, windbreak |
| Notes | Exceptional cold tolerance |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Eucalyptus pauciflora is one of the architectural plants that is gaining significant attention. Long admired in the wild for its smooth, painterly bark and elegant, twisting form, it captures the imagination of designers who want to bring sculptural beauty into contemporary gardens.
But beauty is only part of the story. Eucalyptus pauciflora is a master of survival, thriving in conditions that would challenge many other trees, from frosty highlands to wind-battered slopes, all while keeping its striking, elegant form year-round.
Origin and distribution
Eucalyptus pauciflora, or snow gum, is native to cold, high-altitude regions of eastern and south-eastern Australia. As the most cold-hardy eucalypt, it is often found in woodlands on alpine or subalpine slopes and plateaus, while some subspecies also grow in coastal lowlands.
In Australia, Eucalyptus pauciflora is widely cultivated in cool- and cold-climate regions, featuring in places from alpine gardens to urban landscapes. This species is also used for revegetation efforts, especially in areas with a cooler climate or higher elevations.
Its resilience to frost and snow makes it a popular choice for ornamental planting in temperate and cooler climates abroad, including parts of Europe and even some colder regions of North America.
Growth and care
Eucalyptus paucifolia thrives naturally in various climates, from its most iconic habitat in the cold, alpine or sub-alpine woodlands or open forests of the Great Dividing Range to mild subtropical, Mediterranean, and temperate lowlands.
It is highly cold-resilient and tolerates severe frosts, prolonged snow cover, and cold winds, with some subspecies like niphophila surviving low temperatures to -23°C. As a mallee, it can endure periods of high temperatures and is drought-tolerant once established.
Snow Gum can flourish in various soil types, from the thin, rocky, and often infertile soils of high-altitude exposed slopes to richer, deeper soils in more sheltered, lowland areas. It is found on both sandy and clay soils with good drainage.
In cultivation, the species grows on most soil types with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amend heavy clay with coarse grit and organic matter like compost to enhance drainage. Apply organic mulch around the plant to conserve moisture.
Eucalyptus pauciflora naturally develops a striking, sculptural form and generally requires no shaping. Light pruning in its early years can encourage strong branching, but heavy or excessive cutting should be avoided as it disrupts the tree’s elegant habit.
Features
Eucalyptus pauciflora is a highly variable tree or mallee, with its overall form heavily influenced by its environment.
In exposed, harsh, or high-altitude regions, it often grows as a large shrub or stout tree to about 8 – 12 metres tall, often with multiple stems and low branches that appear gnarled or dramatically twisted, and an irregular, spreading canopy.
In low-altitude or more protected locations, Snow Gum can adopt a single-stemmed form and often appears much more upright, developing higher branches and a broad, elliptical canopy up to a height of 20 – 30 metres.
The most distinctive feature is its magnificent bark – smooth, often mottled, and shifting through creamy whites, soft greys, pale greens, and other subtle tones. It peels away in ribbons to reveal fresh, lighter layers beneath, with cold temperatures sometimes intensifying the colours into more vibrant displays.
Adult leaves are large, spear or lance-shaped, grey or olive-green, thick, glossy and waxy, and can appear slightly curved and/or weeping.
In spring and summer, profuse white flowers emerge in large clusters, creating a spectacular display against the foliage and attracting bees, birds, and other pollinators. These blooms are followed by small, woody, cup-shaped seed capsules that add subtle interest year-round.
Popular subspecies
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora (Snow Gum)
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora is widely cultivated due to its fast-growing nature and exceptional adaptability from coastal to alpine regions. This subspecies shows great variability in size according to growing conditions. The most prominent feature is its smooth, mottled bark.
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila (Alpine Snow Gum)
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila is the most popular subspecies in regions with extreme, cold winters. Its exceptional cold tolerance (to -23°C), smaller stature (7 metres tall at maturity), and attractive blue-green juvenile foliage make it a highly sought-after ornamental tree.
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei (Jounama Snow Gum)
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei is also a high-altitude species highly tolerant of cold. The subspecies tends to develop as medium-sized trees of around 10 – 12 metres in height, with chalky bluish-green foliage. The most distinguished feature is its distinctive, angular buds.
Popular cultivars
- Mount Bogong: A selection of Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila named by its origin, featuring classic smooth, ornamental bark of Alpine Snow Gum and single or multi-stemmed growth, reaching a height of 7 metres.
- Little Snowman: A dwarf selection of Snow Gum, featuring stunning white bark mottled with grey or reddish pink and semi-weeping foliage, growing to 4 – 7 metres tall.
FAQs
How tall do dwarf snow gums grow?
Dwarf Snow Gum generally refers to a compact form of Eucalyptus pauciflora, and its mature height can vary depending on the subspecies and specific cultivar.
- Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila is often considered a classic dwarf species suitable for alpine and subalpine regions. A well-known selection is ‘Mount Bogong’. It grows to 7 metres in height and can be even smaller in harsh, exposed conditions.
- Eucalyptus pauciflora ‘Little Snowman’ is a popular, widely grown Dwarf Snow Gum, one of the most adaptable small eucalyptus trees, highly suitable for contemporary gardens in warmer climates. reaching 4 – 7 metres tall.
It’s worth noting that Eucalyptus gregsoniana (Wolgan Snow Gum), sometimes also referred to as ‘Dwarf Snow Gum’, is an entirely different species that is smaller, typically reaching only 2 – 5 metres tall.
