Eucalyptus gunnii 'France Blue' (Cider Gum) – Hardy Evergreen Tree (7.5L Pot)

Eucalyptus gunnii 'France Blue' is a hardy, fast growing evergreen cider gum selected for intensely silver-blue rounded foliage with a fresh aromatic scent.

The rounded juvenile leaves come in shades of silvery blue-grey and release a fresh, uplifting scent when brushed or cut, which is why the foliage is so popular with florists. Young plants form neat upright specimens with smooth stems, and left untrimmed a tree can reach 4 to 10 metres or more, but it responds well to regular cutting back to stay compact and bushy, and a regularly cut back plant can be kept in a large container.

It wants full sun, or at most light shade, and a sheltered spot. Gums are shallow rooted and rock in wind until established, so plant small and stake low. It takes most soils that drain well, is drought tolerant once settled, and comes through a normal British winter, though young plants are the ones most at risk in a hard one. Small creamy white flowers appear on mature trees in summer and are visited by bees.

Supplied as a large, well established plant in a 7.5 litre (26cm) pot, grown in peat free compost.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Cider gum 'France Blue'
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 4 to 10m or more x 2 to 4m, far smaller if pruned
• Growth Habit: Upright, fast growing evergreen tree; bushy if coppiced each spring
• Perfect For: Borders, screening, statement planting, cut foliage, contemporary and coastal style gardens
• Foliage: Evergreen, aromatic, rounded silver-blue to blue-grey leaves
• Flowering Time: Summer, small creamy white flowers on mature trees
• Planting Position: Full sun or light partial shade, sheltered from wind; drought tolerant once established
• Soil Type: Well drained; tolerates most soil types
• Hardiness: Hardy
• Maintenance: Prune or coppice each spring to keep it compact and the juvenile foliage coming
• Seasonal Interest: All year: spring, summer, autumn and winter
• Type: Hardy evergreen tree