Eucalyptus salicifolia

Eucalyptus salicifolia, also known as the Black Mint-bush comes from Tasmania. Its narrow, green foliage is very aromatic giving off a strong mint scent. It eventually forms a robust and majestic tree 25 to 30 m (82 to 98 ft 5 in) high. Its rough, grey-brown and finely fibrous bark is, however smooth on the upper branches, greyish to salmon or white and peeling in ribbons. Its lovely white pom-pom flowers are also appreciated. It withstands frosts down to -12° (10.4 °F) C and possibly beyond.

Eucalyptus salicifolia is an endemic species of the north-eastern two-thirds of Tasmania where it grows from the coast to the foothills of the Central Plateau, but it is not very common at altitude. Like all Eucalyptus, it belongs to the myrtaceae family. Its growth is quite rapid eventually forming a large elegant tree with an ovate crown measuring about 25 m (82 ft) in height and 12 m (39 ft 5 in) in width, depending on the growing conditions. Its rough, grey-brown and finely fibrous trunk bark is, instead, smooth on the upper branches, greyish to salmon or white and peeling in ribbons. The foliage remains juvenile for 4 or 5 years, elliptical, lanceolate or crescent-shaped, green to almost glaucous. The narrow adult leaves are pendulous, larger, finer and thicker, lanceolate to linear and slightly crescent-shaped, green, slightly shiny or dull and sometimes bluish. This foliage gives off a non-typical minty scent when crushed. The flowering period extends from September to January, depending on the climate and the year, but it has also been observed in July. The flowers are grouped by the dozen in the axil of the leaves in white clusters. This eucalyptus has a lignotuber just below the surface of the soil. This organ allows it to start again from the stump in case of severe frost, fire or hard pruning. The plant also produces numerous shoots from dormant buds located under its bark, which allows it to respond well to coppicing and topping.

Eucalyptus salicifolia brings an elegant and majestic touch to a large garden. Easy to maintain, it enjoys full sun exposure, and neutral to acidic, moist to ordinary or dry soil once established.