Eucalyptus niphophila seeds - Snow gum

Eucalyptus niphophila is, thanks to its high hardiness, one of the most interesting species for our temperate climates. This small tree or large evergreen shrub has an expressive silhouette, marked by a trunk and branches with twisted forms, as well as highly decorative bark. This bark peels off in large strips over the years, creating a striking play of colours blending cream, grey, brown and red. In spring, it is adorned with a generous flowering of small white spheres, like pom-poms. Its dense foliage, formed of long, narrow, silvery-grey leaves, remains decorative all year round and makes an excellent evergreen screen in a hedge or border. Extremely cold-resistant, it can be grown in many regions, including at medium altitudes, provided it is planted in full sun in well-drained, low-lime soil. It is fairly easy to propagate by sowing indoors, in a bright room at medium temperature.

Eucalyptus is a member of the Myrtaceae family, which includes many other ornamental genera, such as Myrtle, widespread in Mediterranean regions, or the superb Leptospermum, or Tea Tree. Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila, nicknamed the snow gum, is native to south-eastern Australia, more precisely the slopes of Mount Kosciuszko, where it grows in high-altitude valleys long covered in snow. This subspecies, awarded an Award of Garden Merit in 1993 for its many ornamental qualities, stands out for its moderate growth for an Eucalyptus. It forms a sinuous trunk, most often branched from the base, topped with a bushy, slightly spreading crown. More often shrubby in habit, it can, however, be pruned to give it the appearance of a small tree and thus highlight its trunk. At maturity, it generally reaches 6 to 8 metres in height for about 6 metres in width, with a medium growth rate, more moderate, particularly in cold climates, than that of the subtropical species.
The young shoots, tinged with red, bear evergreen foliage composed of long, narrow, pointed leaves, approximately 10cm long, with a firm and slightly glossy texture. Green when young, they evolve towards glaucous to silvery-grey shades and release a subtle fragrance when crushed. Flowering occurs between May and June in our latitudes, on well-established specimens. The flowers have no petals; they are made up of numerous creamy-white stamens gathered in compact balls, appearing in groups of three along the branches. These are followed by large conical green fruits, turning brown at maturity. Each year, the old reddish-brown bark peels off in large patches, revealing a new surface with luminous tones of bluish-white, cream, cinnamon and almond green. Unlike many eucalyptus, this species tolerates transplanting fairly well, even at an advanced age.

The Snow Gum is a true blessing for gardeners who love exoticism but live in cool or even cold regions in winter. This species adapts even to semi-mountain climates as well as regions with dry summers, which can be the case in continental climates. It can be hardy to –18 to –20°C, particularly in well-drained soil or under snow cover. Thanks to its dense branching, Eucalyptus niphophila makes an excellent evergreen screen and naturally finds a place in woodland plantings. In cold regions, have fun creating a tropical-inspired scene by selecting other hardy plants with an exotic look, such as Asimina, nicknamed the northern mango because of its fruits. Hardy in some climates, Cytisus battandieri has downy compound foliage and large clusters of yellow flowers that smell of pineapple! In a contemporary garden, you could also take the opportunity to grow many young plants from your seeds at little cost to plant as a screen, at the foot of which you can plant red-stemmed dogwoods such as Cornus alba 'Baton Rouge' to create a striking contrast.