Ranging from 50cms to 3 metres a year depending upon species, soil and rainfall they can quickly bring a feeling of maturity to new gardens or add a new point of interest to more mature gardens.There are species to suit all sizes of gardens and even the larger species can be grown as shrubs, cutting them to the ground every 2 or 3 years (this in fact results in some of the most spectacular foliage).

Although the flowers of the hardy species are white some are sweetly scented whilst others hang in large bunches giving the appearance of large flowers. Many are heavy nectar producers and as such very attractive and beneficial to bees and other insects.

Many species have smooth bark that peels off in large slabs revealing the new bark beneath which is often in contrasting colours. Some have bark that sheds in ribbons and hangs on the branches. The colours range from creamy whites , silvery greys, through greeny yellows on to oranges, reds, bluey purple hues and every shade of brown from pale ochre to almost black.

They provide evergreen interest throughout the year with their often dramatic colourful new foliage. They have a large variety of leaf shape and size which constantly changes through the life of the tree from juvenile to intermediate to adult often with all three on the tree at the same time. As a bonus most species have aromatic foliage with scents ranging from fruity to peppermint to spicy to menthol to the unmistakeable eucalyptus oil.