'Azura' is an excellent new selection of the ever-popular Eucalyptus tree and is especially suitable for British gardens. It is a much more compact and bushy form than the typical fast-growing Eucalyptus trees that we are more familiar with, and is also much hardier – reportedly surviving through winter down to -20°C.
This new compact form and cold-hardiness make it a great specimen plant for even the most inexperienced of gardeners, and as the name suggests, it has an amazing azure blue-grey leaf coloration all year round. Of course, like all Eucalyptus, 'Azura' also has a uniquely gorgeous fresh fragrance, which makes it an ideal and long-lasting plant for cut foliage for bouquets and arrangements.
Growing best in full sun or light shade, this Eucalyptus works well in larger pots, when trimmed twice a year, or when grown as a specimen in lawns and borders. You can even form a hedge with it, as in all these situations you get good all-round leaf colour.
Supplied as an established plant in a 13cm pot, ready for immediate planting.
Leaves are the best shape on young stems. In order to keep the rounded leaves, trees can be cut back to a low framework.
Leave plants to establish for a couple of years before starting hard pruning.
Plants are best grown in full sun with shelter from strong winds when they are young.
Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. If in doubt, err towards spring but remember to keep pots well-watered so that the soil does not dry out.
Dig a planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting, and mix some well rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the plant is in place.
Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow to drain. Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots
Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker.
Place your shrub in the hole at the same level at the pot, then refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling). Firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball. Water well.
Pruning:
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