Eucalyptus
the versatile stem of the season
Koalas love it and so do we - though we don’t eat eucalyptus (and shouldn’t!), we can appreciate the multi-faceted beauty, uses, and aromatic fragrance of its magnificent variants. A tribe of the Myrtaceae family, the genus eucalyptus encompasses an estimate of 750-900 varieties, most of them trees and shrubs, occurring naturally in Australia but are nowadays cultivated all around the world.
It is no surprise that due to its varied range of leaf silhouettes and their silvery, grey-green shades, eucalyptus has found its way into flower arranging. The perfect soothing foliage to bring harmony and balance to arrangements, we’ve incorporated a few variants in our new year’s creations.
Meet our eucalypti
Yes, that is the plural.
Inspired by a return to rituals, our new-year arrangements nurture calm, relaxation, and joy. Whether as understated backdrop for other stems to pop or stealing the show as seasonal stand-out, eucalyptus is the perfect match for soothing moments of mindfulness and slowing down. Meet the varieties you can find in your next arrangements here:
Nicholii
- spot me in: Neon Dusk
- looks: narrow, willow-like leaves in a blueish or greyish green
- scent: classic eucalyptus scent with a distinct peppermint aroma
- something unique: stems are often bright pink or red when they’re young - a beautiful contrast to colour of the leaves
Populus
- spot me in: Green Shoots
- looks: round, coin- or poplar-shaped leaves with a green to blue-silvery colour
- scent: strong, aromatic eucalyptus scent
- something unique: the leaves grow in an alternate pattern and can sometimes feature smaller buds called “berries”
Parvifolia
- spot me in: Morning Hush
- looks: small, oval leaves with lovely, muted grey-green colour
- scent: fresh eucalyptus scent, but less potent than other varieties
- something unique: mature trees retain a large amount of their juvenile foliage giving it a distinctive look
How to keep eucalyptus happy in your vase
Proper prep
- Give the stems a sharp, angled cut before you put them in your vase.
- Strip away any leaves that would sit below the water line to help fend off a build-up of bacteria.
Keeping it fresh
- Re-cut the stems and re-fresh the water every couple of days to keep your eucalyptus happy and healthy.
- Add some of Freddie’s flower food to ensure they’re fully satisfied.
Breathe in
- Take a deep breath every time you walk past your arrangement and enjoy the calming, soothing scent your eucalyptus emanates for weeks.
Beyond the Vase …
Eucalyptus in your home
Nice to smell and to look at - from air purifier to sleep remedy, eucalyptus can do a lot more in your home than just looking stunning in a vase. Here’s a few ideas on how you can enjoy eucalyptus in your home in other ways:
- Hang up bundles of eucalyptus to dry in your home, making for a lovely decoration and air purifier combined. Or, let them dry and style them as a dry arrangement in the vessel of your choice.
- Fix a bundle of eucalyptus to your showerhead or hang it from above for a fresh boost and an easy at-home spa feeling.
- Fill little pouches or linen sachets with dried eucalyptus leaves and keep them on your bedside table - their calming scent helping you drift into a peaceful night of sleep.
Eucalyptus and its medicinal uses
In addition to its calming scent, eucalyptus has other properties that have earned it a place as a component in a variety of medicines and home remedies. Australia’s indigenous population has used eucalyptus species as an ingredient in healing treatments for centuries, combining it with water for tonics that helped with various ailments, from respiratory issues to gastro-intestinal problems. Nowadays, you can purchase eucalyptus oil in many pharmacies and health shops for home use or spot it as an ingredient in medicines (please don’t use our Freddie’s eucalyptus for this).
Soothing
The classic home remedy! Eucalyptus’s calming aroma is perfect for soothing respiratory issues, clearing sinuses and helping with congestion. It is most commonly used as balms, chest rubs, or oil for steam inhalers.
Anti-inflammatory
Beyond its scent, did you know that eucalyptus actually has anti-inflammatory properties? - making it effective for pain relief, especially for muscle and joint pain, like arthritis, and reducing swelling.
Anti-septic
Eucalyptol, the main component in eucalyptus, does not just have anti-inflammatory properties, but also anti-septic and anti-microbial ones. That means it can help fight off infections and lends itself to a variety of other uses, from wound care to oral hygiene products.
Though not exhaustive, this blog post should give you a good idea why eucalyptus is a lot more than pretty foliage - and exactly why we love it so much. With a lot more to appreciate about it in addition to its looks, we hope you’re looking forward to spotting eucalyptus in your new arrangements and keeping it in your home.
