‘Big O’ Hardy Eucalyptus Tree

Eucalyptus neglecta ‘Big O’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6b-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-30′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′

Spacing: 8′ for privacy screen; 22′ or more for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Broad, Upright

Growth Rate: Fast initially then slowing down

Flower Color: White

Flowering Period: Summer

Foliage Color: Blue Green, new leaves are Purple-Bronze to Pinkish

Fragrant Foliage: Yes, strong typical Eucalyptus aroma

Sun Needs: Sun or Shade

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

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

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Boggy, Dry when established

Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5 (Moderate to Slightly Acid)

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

Attracts: Visual Attention, Songbirds

Resistances: Boggy Soil, Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Insect, Wet Soils

Description

‘Big O’ is one of the most popular of the Southern Eucs series of cold hardy eucalyptus trees. Development of the Southern Eucs began in 1997 when an English botanist working in Atlanta, Georgia realized that there was little winter temperature difference between the native locations of many eucalyptus species he had collected in his explorations and colder regions of the United States. The team at Southern Eucs carries on this legacy by expanded explorations to find and test-trial all the varieties of eucalyptus trees that will thrive in colder regions of the United States.

Eucalyptus neglecta ‘Big O’ is quickly becoming one of the most popular eucalyptus in the United States. It was named “Big O” for its unique, large, rounded leaves. Juvenile foliage is vivid blue with red highlights, fragrant, and a stand out in any floral or dried flower arrangement. The juvenile leaves are large and round and on square stems, and usually persist for 7-15 years before any adult leaves are seen, which are elongated. In a cool, moist climate the foliage assumes a fabulous purplish hue. The bark is rough, fibrous and grey on the trunk, turning smooth grey and green above. Big O is highly rated for its cold hardiness. All grown up Big O could reach 20′ in height with an equal spread.

Cold Hardiness

Because of its seed provenance, Big O can handle temperatures down to -10 F. In Atlanta, Georgia, 10 month old trees had minimal leaf damage and looked great after a brutal winter (2013/14) where temps reached 6 degrees. In Western, NC, 10 month old trees – that froze to the ground at -10 degrees – are growing vigorously from their base.

Landscape Uses

Growing to 20 feet tall with an equal spread, ‘Big O’ is a fast growing but smaller Eucalyptus tree that will beg to be planted as a focal point in your garden. It is one of the best Eucalyptus in the shade. Can also be useful as an evergreen hedge or screen.

Suggested Spacing: 8′ for privacy screen; 22′ or more for space between trees

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b, 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

Big O Eucalyptus isn’t too picky about soil type. It will grow in well-drained soil but can also handle waterlogged soil It will grow in full sun but is also quite shade tolerant. It is also very heat resistant and we’ve seen no problems with insects or disease. Responds well to pruning so size is easy to control. With all these attributes, it’s no wonder this variety is a favorite!

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!

Product arrived timely and in great shape. They took care in packaging. The tree has been in the ground a few weeks and is really taken off. It’s already doubled in size.———————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My plants arrived safe and sound in excellent packaging and great shape. I can’t wait to see them as they mature in my garden.—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Well rooted, well taken care of, well packed. Hopefully it will be hardy here. I know that this species can grow here. I guess I will see,—————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

This tree arrived in perfect shape. I planted it immediately. So far so good. Praying it gets its roots down deep before winter sets in.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant received today in excellent condition and a very nice plant. Thank you.—————————————–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

This eucalyptus is perfect for our planting zone. It arrived well-packed in great condition. It was 36 inches in height. I planted it and added supports to help stabilize it until it develops a thicker trunk. I am very happy with my purchase.———————————————–Thanks for the photo! 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

My baby Big O Eucalyptus plant arrived at my home 3 days after I ordered it and it was in excellent condition. It has now been in the ground for 4 weeks and is thriving. The unusual square stems are supporting new growth and the tiny new leaves are most attractive. The weather has been very hot with thunder storms most afternoons and the plant is fully exposed, no shade. I am expecting this tree to become a classic specimen and hopefully it will be the subject of discussion because it will be the focal point in front of our restaurant. This plant is another example of the high-quality products offered by Wilson Bros.——————————————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

Once this plant was back in stock I ordered it immediately Shipment was very fast. The packaging was perfect! When I removed the plant from the pot it hardly had any roots which made me think that it had newly been potted for sale. It has put on at least a foot of growth but the main trunk is very thin and needs support. I hope that it will thicken its trunk as the summer progresses.———————————-Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. If it’s growing, I’m sure the trunk will get more sturdy! – Beth | WBG

The plant is awesome! Was about 2 feet tall when we received it. It’s been only a couple of weeks, but it has already grown more than 6 inches. Was nervous about mail ordering a plant, but it was perfect out of the box.——————————Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant was a little rough when I got it. Shipping was hard on it. After some TLC and help from Wilson, it seems to be doing better.—————————————————Keep us posted!! We are glad its doing better!! Beth | WBG 🙂

Very health plant and I received it in a timely manner.
Thank you!————————-We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG 🙂

My Mother in law loved her eucalyptus tree. The shipping was fast and it was very easy to order online with you guys.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

Healthy looking little tree. Arrived packed well. No shock after planting. Looks happy.————————————————Hi Nancy, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the ‘Big O’ Cold Hardy Eucalyptus Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens