Eucalyptus Scoparia

Wallangarra White Gum / Willow Gum

Botanical Name: Eucalyptus scoparia
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Granite ranges on the NSW–QLD border (Wallangarra district)
Plant Type: Evergreen small–medium tree

Overview

A graceful white-trunked gum with a powdery smooth bark and a light, weeping canopy of glossy narrow leaves. In Adelaide/SA it’s a reliable, fast-establishing feature or light shade tree for streets, parks and larger gardens, coping well with dry summers and compacted urban soils when given occasional deep watering in heat. White/cream blossom appears from spring into summer.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 8–12 m H × 5–8 m W in SA gardens (can reach ~12–15 m in ideal conditions)
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow, glossy green, slightly pendulous leaves; peppermint-scented when crushed
• Flowers: Small white–cream clusters (buds in sevens) mainly spring–summer; decorative smooth white bark year-round
  
• Seasonal Interest: Luminous white trunk, soft dappled shade
• Wildlife Value: Nectar/pollen for insects; habitat and foraging for birds
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat & wind tolerant; manages compacted soils; light–moderate frost hardy; second-line coastal OK (set back from direct salt)
• Planting Density: Avenue/screen: 4–6 m apart (wider for specimen form); Specimen: allow 5–8 m clearance from buildings/canopies
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (not intended for ingestion; essential-oil foliage may upset pets if chewed)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (essential for form and bark quality)
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam to clay loam; thrives on neutral–alkaline (calcareous) Adelaide soils; mound on heavy clay to avoid winter waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 3–4 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
• Maintenance: Light formative prune when young (remove competing leaders, lift canopy gradually); avoid hard topping. Mulch annually; fertiliser rarely needed
• Lifespan: 30–50+ years in landscape settings
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA—excellent on Adelaide Plains and second-line coastal; choose frost-sheltered spots in the Hills
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic if drained)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Feature/lawn tree showcasing a clean white trunk
• Avenue or open screen with airy, weeping foliage
• Streetscape/parking islands (with summer irrigation)
• Paired with grey/mediterranean shrubs and native grasses for contrast

Why You Will Love It

A beautiful white-barked gum with a soft, weeping crown that handles Adelaide heat, dry summers and urban soils—bringing light shade, movement and year-round structure with minimal fuss.