About this plant
Tasmanian gum Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus or gum trees (Eucalyptus) are evergreen trees and shrubs from Australia, related to myrtle. They are valued for their aromatic foliage, rich in essential oils, often silvery or blue-grey, and for decorative bark that peels in strips. Many species have rounded juvenile leaves that change into long, sickle-shaped adult leaves.
Cider gum Eucalyptus gunnii
Eucalyptus gunnii comes from Tasmania and is one of the gums most often planted in our climate, being vigorous and hardy enough for most regions. Left unpruned it grows quickly into a broad, columnar tree of up to around 20 m, with smooth bark peeling in greenish, grey and pinkish patches and aromatic blue-grey leaves, round when young and lance-shaped later.
Location and soil
It needs full sun and prefers a neutral to acid soil that stays moist, although well-rooted trees cope well with summer drought. It is fairly hardy and survives ordinary Belgian winters, but plant it out of strong, cold and drying winds. Flowers are rare here and only appear on older trees after long, warm summers.
Pruning and care
Water regularly during the first two summers. Pruning is optional; to keep it as a bushy shrub or hedge with round juvenile leaves, cut back in March every one or two years. Frost-damaged trees can be cut back to live wood and usually regrow quickly.
Use in the garden
A handsome specimen tree for larger gardens, valued for its luminous blue-grey foliage in white and silver planting schemes. Pruned regularly it suits hedges, smaller gardens and containers, and its stems are popular in floristry.
Plant characteristics
Care
| Pruning | march |
Related products
Eucalyptus gunnii AZURA (PBR)
cont. 15L 100-125 cm