September 27th, 2025Beetham’s Botanicals

Well here I am penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy…
This time I’m featuring exotic trees with ornamental bark (I did touch on a few in the July 28, Issue #337).
So here are five varied species (in alphabetical order) native to different parts of our planet that display extraordinary bark characteristics and would be great additions to the home garden (both old and new).

1. Acer griseum (chinese paperbark maple) is quite rare in cultivation up here in the Central Highlands of Victoria, but it is worth tracking down for its exquisite orange-brown peeling bark (pictured above right) and has the added bonuses of bronze emerging foliage and exceptional autumnal colour.
It’s a medium sized deciduous tree, native to China where it is listed as endangered, which will eventually grow to about 12m.

2. Betula nigra (river birch) is a deciduous tree native to South Eastern USA that is not commonly seen in private gardens.
I have two growing in my back garden here in Hepburn that are doing famously so I say to you, reader, give it a try, particularly in damp sites where it would thrive and perhaps reach a height of around 15m.
For those of you who are keen travellers, there is a beauty (centre) growing in the Huntington Botanical Gardens, just outside Los Angeles.

3. Eucalytus deglupta (rainbow gum) is a (potentially 20m) evergreen tree yet to be enjoyed in our southern climes here in Victoria but the Climate Assessment Tool that I’ve mentioned before (see the July 14 Issue #336) gives it ratings of 6-9 from now to 2090.
Perhaps one day you might be able to add this gum with truly mind-blowing multicoloured bark (below) to your garden.

I first came across this species growing in the Ke’anae Arboretum on the island of Maui, Hawaii eons ago and later, towering specimens at both Cairns Botanic Gardens and Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu.

4. Parrotia persica (persian ironwood) is a deciduous tree native to Northern Iran (Western Asia) which is becoming more common in cultivation across south-east Australia where it is grown for its compact size (10m x 8m), superb mottled peeling bark and vibrant autumnal foliage.
It’s in the witch hazel family (think corylopsis, hamamelis and liquidambar) and seems to do well around the Daylesford area where I have planted several specimens which are showing rapid growth.

5. Quercus suber (cork oak) is an evergreen oak (10-12m) native to Northern Africa and Europe (south-east and south-west) that is harvested for its thick corky (ornamental) bark and used in the commercial production of corks.
There are many fine specimens to be seen around Victoria including in the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and a row of three gnarly old beauties planted in May 1871 at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens (see QR code) which were registered as significant in 1982.

So there you have it reader, a brief snapshot into the wonderful world of trees with ornamental bark which add that special wow factor to the garden, particularly after a sun shower. I do hope you’ve enjoyed my latest look at a side to trees that is often overlooked.

– Cheers JB (Trees in Australia)

Next time: Elms, oaks & pines
for the country garden.

Scan QR code to see JB’s Insta post.