Eucryphia lucida Ballerina

The Eucryphia lucida Ballerina is one of those evergreen exotic bushes that bring all the charm of their native lands to our gardens. This one, native to Oceania, will reach the size of a small tree in favourable climates. It offers a generous pastel and fragrant flowering lasting almost two months in late summer: its beautiful flowers, with pink cups enhanced by purple stamens, exude a scent of honey and lime that attracts bees. This variety thrives in sunny, acidic to neutral, well-drained soil that remains moist, in climates that are both humid and mild. Fairly easy requirements to meet in gardens in mild and humid climates.

The Eucryphia lucida Ballerina belongs to the Cunoniaceae family, which includes about 300 species of trees and shrubs found in temperate to tropical regions of the southern hemisphere. Eucryphia lucida (synonym E. billardieri), is native to the moist and temperate regions of Australia and Tasmania. In nature, it takes on the appearance of a narrow tree reaching a height of 25 m (82 ft). In our climates, the Eucryphia lucida is a large shrub or a small tree that does not exceed 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in height and 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in width when planted in the ground. When grown in a container, its dimensions will be much smaller. A mature specimen can withstand temperatures down to -8°C (17.6 °F), but its foliage is destroyed from -5°C (23 °F).

The Eucryphia Ballerina is a slow-growing shrub with a columnar habit, composed of numerous upright, flexible, furry and slightly sticky branches. Its foliage, dense and evergreen in winter, consists of entire and narrow leaves, elongated and oval in shape, measuring 5 cm (2 in) in length. The young leaves are glossy, while the mature leaves are simply shiny. They have a medium green colour on the upper side, with a bluish tinge on the underside. The flowering, abundant and fragrant, occurs from August to September. It takes the form of cup-shaped flowers, measuring 4-5 cm (1.6-2 in) in diameter, composed of 4 petals. In 'Ballerina', the petals are delicately edged with pink and white. The heart of the flower, pink in colour, is crowned with purple stamens. After pollination by pollinating insects, the fruits form, which are small capsules containing winged seeds.

The Eucryphia lucida Ballerina is grown in the ground in areas where winter is mild and summer is temperate, only in well-drained, non-chalky soil. To accompany it, consider the Chilean Fire Tree (Embothrium coccineum), Metrosideros Mistral, or Grevillea robusta, for example, shrubs that thrive in the same conditions. When pruned annually, it can adapt to being grown in a large pot or container. In colder areas, it will be necessary to find a place to overwinter it, such as a conservatory.