Eucalyptus mitchelliana

Eucalyptus mitchelliana or Mount Buffalo Gum is a highly localised species from the southeast of Australia. Semi-weeping, it has a bushy habit and over time forms a small graceful tree with an open crown, whose pendulous leaves with a fruity scent are shiny green, with golden highlights. It flowers in cream-coloured pompons in the spring. Its smooth bark is pure white to cream grey and dark grey with olive green reflections. This variety, rare in cultivation, is acclimatable in most regions. It tolerates windy exposures and appreciates a cool climate in summer.

Eucalyptus mitchelliana is a highly localised endemic species on the plateau called Mount Buffalo in the northeast of the State of Victoria in Australia, where it is found on granite outcrops in open forests. Like all Eucalyptus, it belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It takes a little time to root, but quickly catches up with the fast growth of other Eucalyptus. It eventually forms a small elegant tree with an open crown measuring about 10 to 12 m (32 ft 10 in to 39 ft 5 in) in height and 5 m (16 ft 5 in) in spread, depending on the growing conditions. Its bark is smooth all over, white mixed with light grey or dark grey and olive green. The juvenile leaves are elliptical and blue-green, quickly becoming lanceolate or sickle-shaped. The adult leaves, pendulous, larger, finer and thicker, are more linear or remain lanceolate to crescent-shaped. They measure from 7 to 15 cm (2.8 to 5.9 in) long. They are uniformly shiny green with a purple petiole on young trees, blue-green on older trees. Seen from afar, the foliage has golden reflections. This foliage releases a typical Eucalyptus fragrance when crushed. The flowering spreads from November to May, depending on the climate and the years, usually February-March. The flowers are grouped by 3 at the leaf axil in white glomerules. This eucalyptus has a lignotuber (a swelling rich in starch) just below the surface of the soil. This organ allows it to grow again from the stump in case of severe frost, fire or severe pruning. Its small root system is less dangerous for buildings and competes less with other garden plants. And its vegetation only offers very light shade.

Eucalyptus mitchelliana is rare in cultivation but it can acclimatise in many regions. It is placed in isolation in a small garden, in a bushy group or as a windbreak or screen. This small tree brings a touch of exoticism to the garden, planted in a hedge with other relatively hardy exotic species such as erythrinas, Feijoa, some oleander ('Luteum Plenum', 'Provence', 'Atlas'), or even Olearia by the sea. It brings an elegant touch to the garden. Easy to maintain, it is hardy down to -13 to -16 °C (8.6 to 3.2 °F) once mature. It is easy to contain by pruning. Finally, it is an ornamental plant at all stages of its growth, young as well as adult. It is probably best to grow it in acidic to neutral, even shallow, soil, always well drained.