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.

'France Blue' is chosen for its particularly vivid blue-grey juvenile leaves, which give a cool, contemporary feel all year and release a clean eucalyptus scent when brushed. Grown as a tree it reaches around 3 to 5 metres, or coppice it hard each spring to 30 to 60cm from the ground to keep it a compact, bushy shrub with the prized young foliage; 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 well established plant with a 7.5 litre root ball, ready to plant straight out.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: France Blue cider gum
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 3 to 5m x 2 to 3m, smaller if coppiced
• 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: Rounded blue-grey aromatic leaves, evergreen; juvenile foliage rounder and more intensely blue-silver
• 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