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Eucalyptus nicholii

Eucalyptus nicholii
Nichol's Willow-leaved Peppermint, Willow-leaved Peppermint, Narrow-Leaved Black Peppermint, Nichol's Peppermint

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A beautiful medium-sized Eucalyptus, still imposing with its fairly massive and well-branched trunk, supporting a wide and rounded crown. Its silhouette is lightened by its beautiful slender and elongated, evergreen foliage, with a grey-green or green-blue shade. Its white flowering in the form of pompoms is pleasant but not exceptional. Moderately hardy, it withstands wind and even spray, as well as heat. To be planted in the sun, in neutral to acidic soil, in the west or south, where frost does not exceed -8°C (17.6 °F) to -10°C (14 °F).
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
15 m
Spread at maturity
10 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time March to April
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Description

Eucalyptus nicholii is an Australian species that forms a beautiful, medium-sized tree. Its well-balanced habit, with a strong trunk supporting a dense canopy with a rounded top, is both architectural and very aesthetic. It has superb evergreen foliage that is very elongated and fine, with a grey-green colour that matches well with the brown bark and reddish branches. Its white pompon-like flowering in late winter is quite decorative. Grown in neutral to acidic soil, in sunny exposure, it can tolerate hot summers, wind, salt spray, and moderate frost. A highly ornamental tree for medium-sized gardens.

Eucalyptus belongs to the vast family of Myrtaceae, of which it is one of the most prolific genera with about 800 species. Some are shrubby and do not exceed a few metres in height, while giants like E. regnans reach heights of nearly 100 metres (328 feet)! E. nicholii is native to Australia, where it grows in New South Wales, north of Sydney, in a temperate climate with hot summers and cool winters. It is mainly found on granitic and porphyritic soils, neutral to acidic.
It forms a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of 15 metres (49 feet) and a width of about 10 metres. The trunk is quite large and has a grey-brown to cinnamon-brown, fibrous and fissured, ornamental bark which persists up to the branches, while the young branches are a beautiful reddish colour, highlighting the foliage. Like many other species, it forms a lignotuber, which is a starch-rich swelling at the base of the trunk partly underground, allowing buds to sprout after a fire (or more generally, after the destruction of the aboveground part). 
The foliage has very little difference between the juvenile and adult forms, both of which are beautiful grey-green to blue-green. The juvenile leaves are linear to lanceolate, small in size (up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide), sessile or with a short petiole and arranged in an opposite manner. The adult leaves have the same appearance but can be twice as long, carried by a short petiole and with an alternate arrangement. Equipped with glands containing essential oils, they emit a menthol scent when crushed.
Eucalyptus nicholii also produces beautiful white flowers in late winter. These are petal-less, round flowers composed of a multitude of tightly packed white stamens, resembling pompons. They bloom between the leaves, grouped in umbels of 7 along the branches, and are followed by the formation of small fruits, without ornamental interest. This flowering is unique in the plant kingdom, but typical of Myrtaceae, where stamens are often admired (as in the famous Callistemon, or Bottlebrush), and contrasts well with the red of the young branches.
Preferring hot climates in summer, this Eucalyptus can tolerate frost down to -8°C (17.6 °F), or even -10°C (14 °F) once well established. It grows in sunny exposure, in neutral to acidic, moist to moderately dry soils. 

This beautiful Eucalyptus deserves to be planted as a focal point to admire its very architectural habit, as well as in the background of a border to provide structure. Its beautiful coppery bark and fine foliage are assets for creating an ornamental scene. Have fun creating a strong architectural effect by planting a large-leaved plant next to it, such as the Japanese Medlar (Eriobotrya japonica), a large evergreen shrub that will reward you with its succulent orange fruits in mild climates. The Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) with its green leaves and large white bracts will also create a stunning contrast alongside the Eucalyptus. To create a colourful shrub layer, consider the Loropetalum, a shrub with green or purple foliage depending on the variety, which produces a splendid flowering with long ribbon-like petals in pink, red, or white, with an exotic look that will blend perfectly into your border.

 

 

 

 

Eucalyptus nicholii in pictures

Eucalyptus nicholii (Foliage) Foliage
Eucalyptus nicholii (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 15 m
Spread at maturity 10 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time March to April
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 1 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased
Foliage description Slightly aromatic foliage when crushed.

Botanical data

Genus

Eucalyptus

Species

nicholii

Family

Myrtaceae

Other common names

Nichol's Willow-leaved Peppermint, Willow-leaved Peppermint, Narrow-Leaved Black Peppermint, Nichol's Peppermint

Origin

Australia

Product reference18839

Planting and care

Eucalyptus nicholii should be planted in early spring in cool regions, and in early autumn in dry and hot climates, in a well-prepared, moist, occasionally dry, not too chalky soil and in a warm and sunny location. A mature specimen is hardy down to -14°C (6.8 °F) in these conditions. Young plants are more sensitive to severe frosts, especially if the frost persists for several days and the soil is moist. In milder regions, you can plant it in the ground, ensuring good drainage by adding coarse sand, pumice or non-chalky gravel. Water regularly during the first two years, especially in summer, and if it is particularly dry and hot. Pruning is not necessary, and even discouraged, in order to allow the beautiful habit of this superb eucalyptus to express itself. However, it is well tolerated after flowering or at the end of summer. It is possible to shape the eucalyptus into a single trunk, selecting the best-placed one and cutting all the others flush.

Gum trees are useful for drying out wet areas, as they are heavy water consumers even in winter. However, once well established, they become quite resistant to drought (to varying degrees depending on the species and varieties) and thrive rather well in a Mediterranean-type climate.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Deep, fertile, loose

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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