Kings Park celebrates National Eucalypt Day

In celebration of National Eucalypt Day on Sunday 23 March, the Friends of Kings Park have been busy sowing and growing 26 Eucalyptus species to be sold at their Native Plant Sale held on the same day. And their green thumbs have clearly paid off – some 726 plants have been successfully grown, all of which will be available to purchase!

The species on offer have been selected for their resilient qualities and ornamental features. Drought tolerant once established and likely to tolerate higher temperatures and lower rainfall, these plants are also fauna-friendly for native species. Varying bark colour and texture, foliage colour and shape, attractive buds and fruits of varying shape and size, along with flowers for any time of the year are features that are sure to add eye-popping interest to home gardens. With a maximum height of 10 meters, most species available range from 2 – 6m in height, with some suitable to pot cultivation. There truly is something for everyone!

Although the Friends of Kings Park usually publish the full list of species available to purchase on the day of the Plant Sale two weeks prior, Kings Park had a sneak peek at what’s on offer. Keep your eye out on the day for some of our favourites:

• Eucalyptus rosacea – there’s 90 of these delicate, slender trees available. With flowers ranging from red to pink, white to creamy yellow appearing between November and February, this highly ornamental and drought tolerant species is suitable for smaller gardens or pots, growing to between 1-4m. 
• Eucalyptus pleurocarpa – there’ll be 38 Blue Mallees available. This stunning glaucous, silver-blue leaved Mallee grows to 4 meters, with waxy white buds and fruits that are equally as attractive as the white flowers in summer. Suitable for smaller gardens or pots.
• Eucalyptus erythrocorys – 30 Illyarri trees will be available. The contrast of red buds and vibrant yellow flowers in summer of this species is unmistakable. The plant’s ornamental woody fruits are also a great food source for our beloved Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos. Suitable for verges and slightly larger gardens.
• Eucalyptus synandra – do your bit for ex-situ conservation by purchasing one of the beautiful weeping Jingamya Mallees - there’ll be 17 available. Listed as vulnerable under the Biodiversity Conservation Act (2013), this species has delicate pendulous cream-pink flowers from November through to March. Suitable for smaller gardens or pots.

Alongside the Plant Sale, Kings Park’s Horticulture and Living Collections team will be running Eucalypt-themed activities to make this a truly tree-mendous day. Have your burning questions answered by our panel of experts at the Q&A session, or take a Eucalypt walk with Amanda Shade, Manager of Living Collections and Chelsea Payne, Curator of Arboriculture and the Kings Park Volunteer Guides (bookings required). Silver Princess, one of Kings Park’s famous floral mascots, the Adorable Florables, will entertain younger visitors with craft activities and tales of Eucalypts, plus kids and adults alike have the chance to win a prize by guessing how many gumnuts are in the jar. Our special edition Perfect Specimens display will showcase fabulous Eucalypt features, and the Friends of Kings Park’s Horticultural Advice and Support (HAS) team will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Make sure you head along to this special event to add to your plant collection, receive tailored horticultural advice and have a bit of fun!

National Eucalypt Day 2025 – Eucalypt of the Year: The Travel Edition

Of course National Eucalypt Day stretches far beyond the borders of Kings Park, with the annual Eucalypt of the Year poll marking an Australia-wide highlight. 

This year’s Eucalypt of the Year competition looks to celebrate some of the many Eucalypt species that we holiday amongst across Australia, with 10 glorious locations in the spotlight. Here in Western Australia, we’ll be rooting for:

• Bronzed Beauties of the Great Western Woodlands, and
• Wondrous Forests of the Walpole Wilderness

The Great Western Woodlands is the largest intact area of Mediterranean-climate woodland in the world, a band of native vegetation comprising of woodlands, mallee and shrublands, around the size of England at around 16 million hectares. This incredible environment is home to an estimated 160 Eucalypt species.  With approximately 10 species that grow in this very special location available to purchase at the Plant Sale, keep an eye out for Eucalyptus calycogona (Gooseberry Mallee) and Eucalyptus ewartiana (Ewart’s Mallee) – two iconic species of the region.

Meanwhile in the Walpole Wilderness, the trio of tingles – Eucalyptus jacksonii (Red Tingle), Eucalyptus guilfoylei (Yellow Tingle) and Eucalyptus brevistylis (Rate’s Tingle) – stand overhead. Alongside the magnificent Eucalyptus diversicolor (Karri), these ancient giants tower over the landscape of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. Whilst there won’t be any species available at the Plant Sale from the Forests of the Walpole Wilderness, this only drives home the need to protect these iconic, majestic Eucalyptus species in their natural habitat. 

Voting for National Eucalypt of the Year runs from 19th February – 19th March 2025 – cast your vote here.