Wendy, I grow Eucalyptus neglecta (Omeo Gum) with the round grey leaves (no seeds here). It grows to 6 feet usually in one season. It often lasts several years, returning as more of a shrub than a tree, before I lose it. I cut the entire top out of my little "tree" in the late fall, and stand upright in floor vase with just a few inches of plain water. As the water is used or evaporates I don't replace it. My Eucalyptus dries well, looks good and lasts for years. I've also hung branches upside down and they too dry well. Also formed fresh cut branches into wreaths and then let dry. All three methods seem to work equally well. I like best to make my wreath or arrangement before drying as the Eucalyptus holds its shape well.

Hope this helps. I'm not sure what "seeded Eucalyptus" is. I traded some garden books for some huge Eucalyptus seedpods from a GWer from CA but they needed no special treatment.

I've never seen Salal except in books...looks pretty though. josh

Wendy, did you want to preserve it or dry it? Drying Salal or lemon-leaf is easy, just hang to dry or like Josh said put it in a wreath and dry it. If you want it preserved KOCH in CO has handouts for using glycerine. They only sell it in 55 gallon drums though. We usually use about 15% to 20% strength for preserving. Same on all eucalyptus.

Bryan

Thanks Bryan and Josh -
I wasn't sure if "drying" or "preserving" it would be the way to go. I have extra from fresh bouquets, and thought I might be able to save it!

Bryan, if I dry it, can I also they spraypaint it later? I have a wreath I bought a few years ago that has lovely gold and white leaves, that look like salal.
Thanks again,
Wendy

Wendy, You can spray paint it just like other drieds later on. Just becareful not to knock the leaves off.

Bryan