Bell-Fruited Mallee: A Tough, Beautiful Choice for Central West Queensland
At Ironstone Garden Centre, we love discovering plants that can thrive in the challenging conditions of Central West Queensland. One of the best options we've found is the Bell-Fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus preissiana). This hardy, drought-tolerant tree brings a burst of bright yellow flowers to your garden, while easily coping with our region’s hot climate and difficult soils.
The Bell-Fruited Mallee grows up to 5 metres tall, making it a versatile option for both smaller gardens and larger properties. It produces stunning large, bell-shaped yellow flowers in late winter and spring, which not only look beautiful but also attract pollinators like birds and bees—making it a wonderful way to support local wildlife.
One of the reasons we’re so excited about this tree is its ability to handle the tough conditions of Central West Queensland, where alkaline soils, bore water, and vertisols (heavy clay soils) can make gardening difficult. Although the Bell-Fruited Mallee prefers well-drained soils, you can give it a head start by planting it on raised mounds. This helps prevent waterlogging, which can be a problem in clay soils that retain moisture. By improving drainage, mounding allows the roots to stay healthy, even in periods of heavy rain.
Once established, the Bell-Fruited Mallee is highly drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much watering, making it perfect for our long, hot summers. It’s also more tolerant of salty bore water than many other plants, so it’s well-suited to gardens that rely on bore irrigation. This makes it a practical, low-maintenance choice for large properties or for gardeners who want something reliable that doesn’t require constant attention.
We’ve grown hundreds of these beautiful trees at Ironstone Garden Centre, and while our saplings are still young, they’re ready to be planted. If you’re planning a garden for the future, now is the perfect time to consider the Bell-Fruited Mallee.
This tree is not just about its good looks—it’s also incredibly practical for Central West Queensland. It combines drought resistance, adaptability, and ease of care with a stunning visual impact. Whether you’re looking to establish a windbreak, add a striking feature to your garden, or simply create a wildlife-friendly space, this resilient tree is a fantastic choice.
Come and visit us at Ironstone Garden Centre, and we’ll help you get started with this tough yet beautiful tree. Perfect for anyone looking to create a garden that can thrive in the outback!
