Eucalypt of the year
Eucalypt of the year celebrates the beauty and importance of Australia’s iconic eucalypts. This annual event highlights the incredible diversity of these trees and their significance to our landscapes and heritage. Discover this year’s winner and explore the unique qualities that make eucalypts such a vital part of Australia’s identity.

2024 Eucalypt of the Year, Corymbia ficifolia, the incredible Red-Flowering Gum
This Western Australian showstopper is one of the most widely planted eucalypts in Australia and around the world! In the wild, however, it is only found in a very small area of subcoastal woodland and heathland in far southwest Western Australia.
It has dark, glossy leaves reminiscent of a fig tree – hence the name fici (ficus or fig-like) folia (leaves). The huge red or orange blossoms cover the ends of branches in an epic show of summer colour, before falling to reveal huge woody gumnuts.
Across southern Australia, the Red-flowering Gum had a particularly spectacular flowering season in summer 23/24, thanks in part to a wet spring and a mild summer. Honeyeaters and bees were as ecstatic as we were at their abundant and joyful flowering.
The Red-flowering Gum is a fantastic choice for streets, parks and gardens, and there are even dwarf varieties that can be grown in pots! Dwarf varieties grow to between 2 and 4 metres (on average) and others can grow up 12 metres although averages don’t always to individuals! It has a dense, shade-giving canopy and dark, non-shedding bark. Hybrid and grafted cultivars exist across a range of pinks, oranges and reds and can be planted in a wider range of climates and soils than the wild Red-flowering Gum.
Congratulations to the passionate #FriendsofFicifolia on social media, who have been campaigning for the Red-flowering Gum right from the first National Eucalypt Day!
This is the first time in seven years that a Corymbia has won. In second place, the Red-flowering Gum was followed closely by another Western Australian endemic, the Silver Princess. Rounding out the medal-winners is the iconic Ghost Gum! This is the first time in seven years that a Corymbia has won.


The Top Ten Short List of Urban Champion Eucalypts 2024

Red-flowering Gum, Corymbia ficifolia - WA

Lemon-flowered Gum, Eucalyptus woodwardii - WA

Ghost Gum, Corymbia aparrerinja - NT, Qld, WA

Argyle Apple, Eucalyptus cinerea - NSW, Vic

Risdon Peppermint, Eucalyptus risdonii - Tas

Heart-leaved Mallee, Eucalyptus websteriana - WA

Coral Gum, Eucalyptus torquata - WA

Silver Princess, Eucalyptus caesia - WA

Yellow Gum/South Australian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus leucoxylon - NSW, SA, Vic

Dwarf Apple, Angophora hispida - NSW
Features: A shrub or small tree with interesting foliage, producing masses of big, cream flowers in late spring and summer. The juvenile leaves and stems are burgundy and covered in tiny red hairs, an unusual feature amongst the eucalypts.

2023 Winner - the exquisite Sydney Red Gum - Angophora costata

2022 Winner - the Mighty Mountain Ash - Eucalyptus regnans

2021 Winner - The "Sexy" Gimlet - Eucalyptus salubris

2020 Winner - The Stunning Illyarrie - Eucalyptus ethrocorys

2019 Winner - The Tenacious Snow Gum - Eucalyptus pauciflora

2018 Inaugural Winner - the Majestic River Red Gum - Eucalyptus camaldulensis
In flooded rivers, their roots protect young fish from predators, while high in the branches birds and possums play. A scar or broken bough becomes a hollow home for marsupial, reptile or bird and submerged logs host giant barramundi and Murray cod.