Eucalyptus cinerea Silver Dollar

Eucalyptus cinerea 'Silver Dollar' is a selection of the ash gum highly appreciated in floristry for the beauty of its juvenile foliage with metallic reflections reminiscent of silver dollars.  In the garden, this eucalyptus is interesting for its reasonable growth and relative hardiness. It quickly forms a small tree with picturesque bark, decorative throughout the year. Whether planted individually, in clumps or as a hedge, Eucalyptus always brings an exotic and elegant touch to the garden. This Silver Dollar variety can also be grown in containers, with regular pruning. Its foliage is pleasantly aromatic and reputed to repel mosquitoes. It is easy to maintain and adapts to all well-drained soils, not too dry and not chalky. It requires full sun to give its best.  

The Silver Dollar eucalyptus is a small tree from the myrtle family. The cinerea species is native to southeastern Australia. The Silver Dollar selection is fast growing and has a naturally spreading habit, with some branches trailing on the ground. At the age of 10, this small tree will reach about 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in height and 5-6 m (16 ft 5 in-19 ft 8 in) in width if not pruned. Eventually, it can reach 15 m (49 ft 2 in) in height and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in width. Pruned every year in spring, it will be wider and extremely dense, but shorter. 'Silver Dollar' has evergreen foliage in winter, which releases a minty aroma when crushed. It should be noted that this selection hardly develops any adult leaves, which are larger and longer than the juvenile leaves. In a mature specimen, the foliage is mainly composed of rounded juvenile leaves and intermediate leaves. Its bark is more persistent than that of the majority of eucalyptus, it only exfoliates a little. Thick, fibrous, rough and channelled, it is dull grey, colouring more or less orange to mahogany through the season.  The juvenile foliage consists of small rounded or heart-shaped, glaucous leaves with metallic silver reflections. The discreet flowering takes place in May-June and consists of slightly fragrant flowers in the form of tiny white pompoms, very attractive to insects. The Eucalyptus cinerea adapts to clay or sandy soils, but does not appreciate chalky and very dry soils. A well-established specimen will withstand brief frosts of around -10 to -12 °C.

The Silver Dollar Eucalyptus works well in predominantly white or silver scenes. It brings an exotic touch to the garden, planted as a hedge with other shrubs, in groups or individually. For example, associate it with purple foliage (Sambucus Black Lace, Cotinus Royal Purple), or golden foliage (Catalpa bignonioides Aurea, Golden Honey Locust). On the terrace, its lightness and the brilliance of its foliage will bring a superb silver note. Its beautiful, rounded and subtly coloured foliage, allows for beautiful associations with many cut flowers. Finally, it is an elegant plant at all stages of its growth, both as a young plant and as an adult.