Eucalyptus
GreenAll seasons
Eucalyptus names a group in the myrtle family rather than a single species. The North Carolina State University horticultural reference (NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox) describes the group as evergreen trees or shrubs with a native range extending from the Philippines to Australia. The familiar coin-shaped leaves are the juvenile leaves of one species, Eucalyptus cinerea; the same reference distinguishes its opposite, round, stalkless juvenile leaves from its alternate, elongated adult leaves, which have stalks. Flowyric treats Eucalyptus as a foliage material without specifying a species. Oils in the leaves give them a distinctive scent that rises when they are brushed or rubbed, and the same reference describes the foliage as commonly used in floral arrangements and also classifies it as a dried material. Flowyric does not treat Eucalyptus as season-limited, so it is classed as All seasons and can be added whichever theme you choose.
The story of its meaning
"Memory and healing" is the flower-meaning label Flowyric gives Eucalyptus. One way to read the first part of that label today is to remember that the horticultural reference also classifies the foliage as material used dried. It is foliage that can be kept after the bouquet is finished. In an arrangement, Eucalyptus is both greenery and neutral, so it raises the neutral proportion considered by Winter Gift but does not count toward the white-bloom requirement for Fresh Start. That requirement excludes materials with the Greenery role. Eucalyptus is classed as calm rather than a bold primary, so it also counts directly toward the Words of Comfort requirement.
Meanings by color
- EucalyptusMemory and healing
When to gift it
Because the foliage is also classified as material used dried, it offers a reason to choose it for a gift that can be dried and kept after the bouquet fades. Get Well Soon requires two yellow-orange blooms and two greenery stems; two Eucalyptus stems satisfy the greenery part exactly. One basic recommendation contains 2 Orange Gerberas + 2 Yellow Freesias + 1 Chamomile + 2 Eucalyptus: the four Gerberas and Freesias meet the color requirement, and the two Eucalyptus stems meet the greenery requirement. When handling real branches, bear in mind that the horticultural reference identifies Eucalyptus leaves and bark as toxic parts and classifies the plant as capable of causing skin irritation on contact—do not eat it, and keep it where children and pets cannot reach it. Free theme has no requirements, so an all-green arrangement is possible, but Everyday requires at least one main flower.
Pairing tips
Eucalyptus has the Greenery role in an arrangement and fills the spaces between flowers. Because it is classed as neutral, themes that calculate a colored proportion do not count it as colored: under requirements such as Thank You or Autumn Stroll, which consider the proportion of warm colors, adding more Eucalyptus increases only the denominator. Falling short of a requirement is still no reason you cannot add it, and you may use as much as you like regardless of the theme result. Among the other greenery materials, Fern, Ruscus, Ivy, and Dusty Miller are All seasons, while only Pampas Grass is designated for Autumn. One basic Fresh Start recommendation contains 2 White Lilies + 2 White Freesias + 1 Baby's Breath + 2 Eucalyptus: the first five blooms meet the two-white-bloom requirement, and the two Eucalyptus stems meet the greenery requirement. Its silver-green leaves give white flowers a neat setting and support pink or apricot tones with a calm backdrop.