We Have to Talk About Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees
We know what you’re thinking, and no, you did not get abducted by Dr. Seuss. This tree and its incredible, painterly bark are very much real.
Recently brought to our attention by House Beautiful, eucalyptus deglupta trees are revered for their colorful, rainbow-like bark—and it’s easy to see why.
These otherworldly evergreens are usually found in the tropical forests of the Philippines, New Guinea, and Indonesia, though they also grow in some parts of California, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas. Also known as "rainbow eucalyptus" or "Mindanao gum trees," every season, they shed their old rinds, revealing a beautiful new layer of variegated oranges, blues, and greens (and the perfect Instagram backdrop).
The trees, which can grow up to 250 feet tall in the lush rainforest of Southeast Asia, typically only reach heights of 100 to 125 feet in the States.
In Florida, you can experience them for yourself at the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, and the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens in Port St. Lucie. You might also get lucky in the South Bay region of California, so keep those eyes peeled!