Eucalyptus apiculata

Eucalyptus apiculata also known as the Narrow-leaved Mallee, has a bushy habit, hence its name Mallee, a term used in Australia to describe small trees or heavily branched bushes, with several trunks (in coppice shoots), with a height less than 10 m (32 ft 10 in). Eucalyptus apiculata reaches a mature size of 6 m (19 ft 8 in) high and has a dark green, narrow, feathery foliage. Highly ornamental and rare, it has a beautifully smooth bark, chalky white, cream, silver-grey and olive in colour, which peels off in long, thin strips, revealing a terracotta-coloured under-bark! It blooms in white pompons. Its adult foliage is not pendulous but points upwards. It grows quite slowly for a Eucalyptus. It prefers normal to dry, even poor soil, well-drained, in the sun, in a location sheltered from cold winds. It is drought-resistant once established. It is moderately hardy, -8° (17.6 °F) C for a young plant, up to -10° (14 °F) or -12° (10.4 °F) C for a mature plant.

Eucalyptus apiculata is an endemic species from the surroundings of Sydney and the Blue Mountains region in New South Wales. It is considered rare due to its limited distribution area. Like all Eucalyptus, it belongs to the myrtaceae family. Its growth is quite slow (for a Eucalyptus) and it eventually forms a bush measuring about 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in height for 2 to 4 m (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) in width, depending on the growing conditions. Its bark is smooth, chalky white, cream, silver-grey and olive in colour, and peels off in long, thin strips, revealing a terracotta-coloured under-bark. The foliage remains juvenile for 4 or 5 years on its branches. The juvenile leaves are narrow, lanceolate to linear, dark green. The adult leaves are shiny dark green and crescent-shaped or lanceolate. This foliage releases a typical Eucalyptus fragrance when crushed, not too strong in this species. The flowering spreads from November to May, depending on the climate and the age, generally February-March. The flowers are grouped in 3s in the axil of the leaves in white glomerules. This eucalyptus has a lignotuber just below the soil surface. This organ allows it to grow again from the stump in case of severe frost, fire or ground-level pruning. The plant also produces numerous shoots from dormant buds located under its bark, which allows it to respond well to coppicing and pollarding. Its root system is not extensive, is less dangerous for buildings and makes less competition to other garden plants.

Eucalyptus apiculata is easily installed in many gardens, in pots or in the open ground. Depending on the region, it is over-wintered or its stump is protected, given its limited hardiness. It fits perfectly in a Mediterranean or Australasian plant garden. Its dark green, erect and feathery foliage also evokes certain erect willows, it does not detract from a countryside landscape. Its small size and bushy aspect allow it to be used as an informal screen. Easy to maintain, it requires little care once established. It is easy to contain by pruning. Finally, it is an ornamental plant at all stages of its growth.