Eucalyptus gunnii Azura

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' is a new variety of cider gum with excellent hardiness, moderate growth, a superb columnar and dense habit, and extremely bright grey-blue foliage. This superb novelty quickly forms a flexible and dancing small tree, decorative throughout the year. It will enhance the garden, whether planted as a solitary specimen, in a grove, or as a hedge, and will bring a touch of exoticism and elegance to a patio when planted in a large container. Its fine foliage is gently aromatic and incredibly luminous. It looks superb in bouquets. Easy to maintain, it adapts to all well-drained and not too chalky soils. On the other hand, it requires full sun to give its best. This excellent cultivar was awarded in the Netherlands in 2012.

'Azura' is a small tree from the Myrtaceae family. It descends from Eucalyptus gunnii, native to the mountainous regions of Tasmania, and was selected in central France: among numerous seedlings, it is the only one that survived a severe winter. With rapid growth, it naturally has a conical habit and numerous branches from the base of the trunk. At maturity, this small tree will reach about 10m (33ft) in height with a 2m (7ft) spread if not pruned. Pruned every year in spring, it will be wider, extremely dense but shorter (less than 5m (16ft) in height and about 3m (10ft) in spread). Like its ancestor, 'Azura' has evergreen foliage in winter that is pleasantly aromatic when crushed. However, its foliage is remarkably grey-blue, carried by green branches when young. Its bark regularly exfoliates, revealing fresh yellow to pinkish hues. The foliage consists of rounded or heart-shaped leaves, measuring about 4 to 5cm (2in) in length. The flowering takes place in August-September. It consists of fragrant flowers in the form of tiny white-pinkish pompoms, which are very popular with insects.

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' works wonders in scenes dominated by white or silver. Planted as a hedge with other shrubs, in groups or as a solitary specimen, it brings an exotic touch to the garden. For example, plant it with purple foliage (Sambucus 'Black Lace', Cotinus 'Royal Purple'), or golden foliage (Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea', golden honey locust). On a balcony or patio, its lightness and the brilliance of its foliage will bring an intense bluish, almost metallic note. It is easy to maintain, very hardy, and water-efficient. It is an elegant plant at all stages of its growth, both as a young plant and as an adult. Its exceptional frost resistance allows it to be grown in most of our regions.