Eucalyptus websteriana seeds

Eucalyptus websteriana is a low-growing species that rarely forms a small tree, but more often a multi-trunked shrub. Spreading as much in width as in height, it features highly ornamental, reddish bark. Its modest height, 5m at most, and its spreading habit allow you to fully appreciate its decorative, heart-shaped blue-green foliage when mature. In summer, it produces pleasant pale yellow flowers. It only tolerates very mild winters (hardy to around -5°C) and must be grown in a container in most regions. Sowing gives variable results but remains worthwhile, as growth is fairly rapid.

The Eucalyptus genus encompasses a vast group of plants comprising nearly 800 species. It includes both small shrubs and giant trees that can exceed 90 metres in height, such as Eucalyptus regnans or E. nitens. All these species belong to the Myrtaceae family, widely present in tropical regions and warm temperate zones, including the Mediterranean Myrtle or the superb Metrosideros.
Eucalyptus websteriana belongs to the "mallee" group (pronounced "mauli"), shrubby species reaching 4 to 5m in height and spread, forming a lignotuber at their base. This swollen underground organ allows the plant to regrow when the above-ground part has been destroyed by fire, which is common in Australia, its native country. This species is more precisely endemic to south-western Western Australia, where it grows in a very restricted geographical area. It is a semi-arid region, characterised by well-drained rocky soils. There, the shrub rarely forms a small tree, more often a large bush with multiple stems giving it a spreading habit, as wide as it is tall. It frequently measures only 3 to 5m in height (at most 6m), with a comparable spread. The bark is particularly ornamental, a fairly bright reddish-brown colour, with peeling that enhances its aesthetic appeal. The young branches are also red, creating a very attractive contrast with the foliage. This foliage is in tones of green, grey and blue (when emerging). The leaves are alternate or sometimes almost opposite, and when mature adopt an original heart-shape, or can also be obovate. These variations are classic among Eucalyptus and contribute to their charm. They are small, reaching at most 3cm wide by 4.5cm long. Grown in a container, this Eucalyptus could easily pass for a pseudo-bonsai.
In our climates, flowering generally occurs between May and July, in the form of small flowers not exceeding 1.5cm in diameter. They are pale yellow, and it is the protruding stamens that catch the eye and create its beauty. Less spectacular than species with red flowers, it is nonetheless quite decorative, well showcased by the foliage and the plant's small size.
This evergreen Eucalyptus tolerates brief frosts and withstands dry conditions and rocky terrain well. It will thrive in Mediterranean areas with little frost.

With fairly rapid growth (40 to 50cm per year after two years), this Eucalyptus is worth sowing, as it will quickly produce a mature shrub. You can create a striking scene by pairing it with other woody plants with decorative features, such as Arbutus andrachne, which also produces charming small white bell-shaped flowers, followed by highly ornamental red fruits. To give your setting a truly exotic feel, opt for Callistemons, whose bottlebrush flowers are particularly spectacular. To complete the picture, nothing beats a Brachychiton rupestris, an Australian bottle tree with a strikingly swollen trunk.