Eucalyptus stricta

Eucalyptus stricta, nicknamed the blue mountain gum, is an Australian species with original aesthetics. Of moderate growth, this large bush or small tree, branched from the base, has dense vegetation, a beautiful, slightly shiny green. Its very fine foliage could be mistaken for a willow and gives it a very architectural appearance. It also produces generous flowering, in the form of lovely white pompoms. Low maintenance, it grows in ordinary, well-drained soil, even sandy, and in sunny exposure. Its limited hardiness and adaptation to hot summers make it a good choice for planting throughout the south.

This Eucalyptus is a member of the Myrtaceae family, rich in ornamental and fruit-bearing genera from tropical and warm temperate regions around the world. The Eucalyptus genus includes approximately 800 species, some of which produce some of the tallest trees in the world (E. regnans can reach up to 100 m (328 ft 1 in) in height!). Others, on the contrary, belong to the group of mallees (from the English word "mallee" itself derived from an Aboriginal word), meaning plants that do not exceed 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in height and are branched from the base.
This is the case for this species which sometimes forms a small tree with multiple trunks, 7 to 8 m (23 to 26 ft 2 in) tall, or a large, well-branched and spreading bush, 5 m (16 ft 5 in) tall and 4 m (13 ft 1 in) wide. Eucalyptus stricta is native to the eastern part of New South Wales, southeast Australia, where it generally grows on sandy plateaus and ridges. These regions are characterized by hot summers but without a real dry season. It is one of the many Eucalyptus species with a lignotuber, just below the surface of the soil. This organ allows it to regenerate from the stump in case of severe frost, fire, or pruning to ground level. The plant also produces numerous shoots from dormant buds located under its bark, which allows it to respond very well to coppicing and pollarding.
Eucalyptus stricta has dense vegetation, with beautiful, deep green foliage which is slightly shiny, and fine. This plant has fewer differences between juvenile and adult foliage than in other species. The juvenile foliage is lanceolate, with sessile and opposite leaves, measuring 7 to 14 cm (2.8 to 5.5 in) long and 1.5 to 3.5 cm (0.6 to 1.4 in) wide. The adult leaves are just slightly shorter (6 to 11 cm (2.4 to 4.3 in) long) but mostly narrower (0.6 to 1.6 cm (0.2 to 0.6 in) wide), alternate and petiolate. When it takes on a treelike form, the narrow and multiple trunks have a beautiful bark that ranges in colour from white and pale grey to brown and pink.
The flowering is abundant, consisting of umbels in the axils of the leaves, which generally group together 7 flower buds. These open into a bouquet of white stamens, forming visible white pompoms in the middle of the very fine foliage. In Australia, this Eucalyptus can flower almost any month of the year. In our climates, flowering normally takes place between April and June, adding to the ornamental interest of this original shrub.
Eucalyptus stricta has a slower growth rate than other species, growing at a rate of 1 to 1.50 m (3 ft 4 in to 4 ft 11 in) per year. It needs well-drained soil to thrive, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It does not appreciate heavy clay soils, preferring rather sandy soils. Its hardiness is limited, around -8°C (17.6 °F) to -10°C (14 °F) under good conditions (very well-drained soil, not too prolonged frost...).

With its unusual appearance, this Eucalyptus, with its slight resemblance to a willow or Phillyrea angustifolia, is betrayed by its leaves being slightly aromatic when crushed. With its beautiful white flowering contrasting against the dark green foliage, it is truly ornamental and deserves a place in the garden, especially since it responds well to pruning and its habit can easily be kept more compact. It will be a good subject to create an exotic scene, alongside Callistemon x laevis, a Bottlebrush with spectacular bright red bottlebrush-like flowers, also native to Australia. Acacia pravissima, a Mimosa little-known despite its multiple qualities, will also be a good companion. In addition to its original triangular leaves, and of course its stunning and fragrant yellow spring flowering, it proves to be more frost-resistant than many other more widespread species. And to bring vibrant colours, nothing beats Cistus purpureus with its large dark pink flowers, which are well highlighted against its dark green evergreen foliage.