Eucalyptus polyanthemos seeds

Eucalyptus polyanthemos is commonly known as the flowering gum, which highlights one of its ornamental attractions. This fast-growing tree of Australian origin reaches up to twenty metres in the wild. It is sought after for its beautiful, blue-green juvenile heart-shaped foliage. In addition to its cream-white flowers at the end of the year and in winter in our climates, it develops attractive decorative bark. Grown in full sun, it is relatively tolerant when it comes to soil, even coping with a little lime. Adapting to both somewhat dry and wetter soils (provided they are well-drained), it is, however, demanding when it comes to temperatures, only withstanding brief frosts of around -4°C to -5°C, which limits its viable outdoor zone to milder climates. Sowing is a little tricky, as the seeds are fine and sensitive to excess moisture.

Eucalyptus is a member of the Myrtaceae family, just like the mediteranean Common Myrtle, or Callistemon, its Australian cousin with the famous bottlebrush-shaped inflorescences. Eucalyptus polyanthemos is native to south-eastern Australia and has become naturalized in the west of the continent. Its natural range extends from the central plateaus and plains of western New South Wales to the eastern and central regions of the State of Victoria. It is generally found on sloping, shallow and poor terrain. In its native habitat, it can reach nearly 20 metres in height and is distinguished by rapid growth.
In our climates, Eucalyptus polyanthemos more commonly reaches 15 metres in height with an 8 to 10m spread, with a conical to rounded habit, or even spreading depending on age and available space. Equipped with a lignotuber, this species has a good capacity for regeneration, able to resprout from the stump after frost or fire damage. Its decorative bark is variable in appearance: sometimes smooth, sometimes dotted with greyish patches from to old layers that peel away. The base of the trunk generally remains rough and grey, while the smooth parts are adorned with light shades blending cream, white, grey and yellow.
Like many other Eucalyptus, this species develops both juvenile and adult foliage simultaneously on the same tree, sometimes with intermediate forms in the branching. The young foliage is particularly decorative: the heart-shaped leaves are always petiolate, opposite at the base of the shoots then alternate. The rounded to heart-shaped leaves measure about 2.5 to 6-7cm in length and width, and are grey-blue-green with a matt finish. The larger, elongated adult leaves measure up to 11cm in length and take on a deeper olive-green colour.
The ornamental flowering extends from September to January in our climates, depending on weather conditions, with a frequent peak in autumn. It is composed of large cream-white spherical clusters of numerous stamens surrounding a central pistil. These inflorescences, usually in groups of seven in small umbels are rich in nectar and attract bees. After flowering, woody fruits appear in the shape of small barrels, 5-6 mm long. The seeds are brown or grey and only 0.8 to 1.4mm in length. They must be sown fresh to achieve a good germination rate.

Eucalyptus polyanthemos withstands drought well once well established, but is not very hardy, tolerating only short and light frosts. Young specimens naturally tend to grow coppiced, which can give a slightly wilder look to a garden. This eucalyptus is perfectly at home in large gardens and parks along the Mediterranean coast. Plant it alongside other exotic-looking plants, such as the Cockspur Coral Tree with its spectacular coral-red flowering, the fascinating Orchid Tree, or the mythical Jacaranda mimosifolia, nicknamed the Blue Flamboyant due to the exuberance and azure colour of its flowering in large panicles.