‘Luna’ Cold Hardy Eucalyptus Tree

Eucalyptus perriniana

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Tree (May be semi-deciduous in colder climates)

Height at Maturity: 20-30′ with no pruning

Width at Maturity: 15-20′

Spacing: 8-10′ for hedges; 25’+ for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, 24 inches or more where happy

Flower Color: White

Flowering Period: Summer

Foliage Color: Silver-green with blue and lavender tones

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade (Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot and humid climates)

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist but Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5 (Neutral to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Visual Attention, Bees

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Insect

Description

Named for the Goddess of the Moon, ‘Luna’ is a cold hardy Eucalyptus that is hardy in USDA Zones 7 and 8, widely reported to handle temperatures below 0 F. That said, it is not the best selection for hot and humid climates below zone 8, much preferring a cooler and drier environment. Instead, Luna is the perfect selection for the Mid-Atlantic and Northern States. Perhaps the most attractive feature are the elliptical to oval shaped silvery-green fragrant leaves that completely encircle the stem, which appears as though the stem passes right through the center of the leaf! The leaves take on lavender and blue shades at times. Fussy, creamy white flowers appear in summer in clusters of three. The bark of this tree shred in ribbons to exposing a dull white to light grey surface accented by brown and green patches. All grown up, Luna will reach about 25 feet tall and 15 or so feet wide. That said, she responds well to and can be kept smaller with pruning. ‘Luna’ is real conversation starter in a pot, on a patio, or porch.

Cold Hardiness

What we learned in Southern Euc Trials In McDonough, GA (Zone 8A), three year old Eucalyptus trees had minimal leaf damage and looked great following winters where temps twice reached the teens.

Landscape Uses

Growing to around 25 feet all and 15 feet wide, ‘Luna’ is a moderate growing Eucalyptus tree ideal for use as a specimen planted in the ground or in large pots around patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces. Also excellent as an evergreen hedge or privacy screen. A fine addition to cutting gardens, fragrance gardens, and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing: 8 to 10 feet apart feet apart for hedge or privacy screen; 25 feet or more apart for space between trees

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, where this Eucalyptus tree variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

The Luna Eucalyptus is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of low fertility and prefers full sun or part shade. Luna doesn’t like the combination of heat and high humidity so is best grown in USDA Zones 7 and 8. If you’re in zone 9 and would like to try this variety provide it with shade during the hottest afternoon hours. Responds very well to pruning so can be grown in pots that can be situated on patios and near other outdoor living spaces. Choose a container that’s at least 8 inches or more in diameter than the root ball.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, fertilize and water a Eucalyptus tree.

How To Plant & Care For A Eucalyptus Tree

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

I love the aromatic of this plant. It has acclimated to it new home nicely.—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Luna Cold Hardy Eucalyptus——————————————Thanks for the 5 Stars!! Beth | WBG 🙂

Waited a loong time for this stunning tree to become available and I was not disappointed! Shipped quickly and came very snug and happy in its box.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I’ve never had experience growing Eucalyptus previously but my plant arrived looking strong and vibrant.. It is about two feet tall now and looking to be thriving.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG