Eucalyptus pulverulenta ( Baby Blue Eucalyptus ) is an ornamental tree species that is native to scattered areas of southern New South Wales. Baby Blue Eucalyptus is famous around the world for its heart-shaped leaves that add greenery to flower arrangements and landscaped gardens. Their popularity has reached California where they are called the Florist Silver Dollar due to the colour of their powdered leaves.
Suits Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as the Florist Silver Dollar, Silver-Leaved Mountain Gum and Powdered Gum.
Growth
Eucalyptus pulverulenta is an Australia native tree that grows to a maximum height of around 5 metres (15 feet). Baby Blue trees are extremely frost tolerant and enjoy cold and temperate climates. Their shorter height makes them accessible to the suburban gardener.
Like many in their family, they grow deep roots and so young plants establish better in deeper pots such as forest or native tubes. They can be transplanted once they reach 20 cm (8 inches) directly into the ground.
Flowering occurs from May right until November providing an added bonus during winter. The nectar is sweet and is excellent at attracting bees into the garden.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10 to 25°C / 14 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 45 metres (150 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 8 metres (25 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
82%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for an hour and then 2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 300
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS PULVERULENTA (Baby Blue Eucalyptus)
Baby Blue trees are vulnerable in the wild where in 1990 only around 5500 existed among scattered populations. They are found natively in areas south of Bathurst down to the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales.
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS IN GENERAL
Every year Eucalyptus trees add a new layer of bark and the outmost layer dies and peels off. Eucalyptus trees make up around 75% of Australia’s forests and have adapted to the seasonal bushfires with the ability to re-sprout directly after a fire.
The majority of the species do well in a wide range of climates and most can withstand a light frost of −5 °C (23 °F).
