Eucalyptus gunnii Blaue Liebe

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Blau Liebe' is a selection of cider gum interesting for its magnificent silver-blue metallic foliage, moderate growth, and cold resistance. This allows it to be planted in many gardens, but also to adorn a large container on the terrace. If regularly pruned short, this eucalyptus will form a decorative large blue-grey silver bush throughout the year. It adds a beautiful touch of exoticism to the garden or terrace, and its fresh or dried leaves are sublime in floral arrangements. Easy to maintain, it adapts to all well-drained soils, not too chalky and not too dry. However, it requires full sun to give its best.

The 'Blau Liebe' eucalyptus, selected in Germany, is a small tree from the myrtle family. It descends from the Eucalyptus gunni, a giant tree native to the mountainous regions of Tasmania. With moderate growth, this very dense selection has a naturally bushy habit. At the age of 10, this small tree will reach about 1.80m (5 ft 11 in) in height and 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) in width if not pruned. Pruned every year in spring, it will be wider, extremely dense, but shorter. Like its ancestor, 'Blau Liebe' has evergreen foliage, pleasantly aromatic when crushed. Its foliage is a pronounced silver-blue-grey, carried by green branches when young. The juvenile foliage consists of rounded or heart-shaped leaves, while the adult leaves are elongated lance-shaped. The significant flowering takes place in June-July. It is made up of fragrant flowers in the form of tiny cream-white pompoms, visited by pollinating insects. The hardiness of this variety is estimated at -15°C (5 °F) for the crown, in open ground. If the branches freeze in winter, simply cut them back to the ground in early spring, and new growth will emerge from the stump.

Eucalyptus gunnii Blau Liebe works well in predominantly white or silver scenes. It brings an elegant and luminous touch to the garden when planted as a hedge with other shrubs, in groups, or as a solitary plant. For example, combine it with purple foliage (Sambucus Black Lace, Cotinus Royal Purple), or golden foliage (Catalpa bignonioides Aurea, Golden Honey Locust). On the balcony or terrace, its lightness and the brilliance of its foliage will bring a very modern touch. Easy to maintain and very hardy, it is also quite drought-tolerant. Finally, it is an elegant plant at all stages of its growth, both as a young plant and as an adult. Its frost resistance allows it to be cultivated in many regions.