Eucalyptus nitida

Eucalyptus nitida is a species native to Tasmania, whose aromatic leaves diffuse a pleasant peppermint scent when crushed. Usually forming a medium-sized tree, 15 to 20 m (49 ft 2 in to 65 ft 7 in) high, this plant can also curiously become a bush of only 5 to 6 m (16 ft 5 in to 19 ft 8 in), with a quite different aspect. Decorative with its shiny green foliage, this Eucalyptus also has interesting flowering, in the form of white balls, as well as an ornamental bark. It grows in light soils, even poor, non-limestone and well-drained. A sunny exposure and a not-too-cold climate in winter will suit it well.

The large group of Eucalyptus (about 800 species) is part of the vast botanical family of Myrtaceae. This includes nearly 130 genera, many of which have ornamental value (such as Leptospermum, Chamelaucium, or Callistemon or Metrosideros). Eucalyptus nitida is native to Tasmania, where it grows in the west of the island, in forests from sea level to hills and plateaus. It then forms a tree about twenty metres high, but can peak at 40 m (131 ft 2 in). Interestingly, there are also populations that grow in the form of bushes 5 to 6 m (16 ft 5 in to 19 ft 8 in) high, called mallées, in the sandy coastal dunes. Mallee is an Aboriginal term designating shrubby forms less than 10 m (32 ft 10 in) high, branching from the ground (generally Eucalyptus, Acacia or Melaleuca).
The shrubby form is very compact, with many thin and branching stems starting from the base of the plant, all forming a rather wide rounded dome. The tree form is very erect, with a rather massive trunk that branches in height, giving a crown sometimes dense and conical to rounded, sometimes more airy and spreading. This species has a significant regeneration capacity thanks to its lignotuber. It is an underground swelling rich in starch, capable of emitting many shoots if the aerial part of the plant is destroyed (typically by a fire). 
The trunk is covered with a rough light grey bark in the tree forms, while in the bushes, it is smooth, with variable colour: cream, grey to yellow or pink to brown. In all cases, it is decorative and contributes to the ornamental interest of this species.
The juvenile foliage is composed of opposite sessile leaves, lanceolate to elliptical, measuring 4.5 to 8.5 cm (1.8 to 3.3 in) long for 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2 in) wide, with the upper surface of a beautiful green, while the lower surface is rough and a little lighter. Adult leaves are alternate and petiolate, lanceolate to crescent-shaped and measure up to 13 cm (5.1 in) long and 1.7 cm (0.7 in) wide. They have a beautiful shiny green colour (nitidus means shiny in Latin) and are rich in essential oils, spreading a characteristic peppermint scent when crushed.
The flowering is also worthy of interest, because even if the flowers are small (about 1 cm (0.4 in)), they are grouped by lots of 9 to 15 in umbels. The inflorescences thus formed are globular, forming beautiful white pompoms, the colour of the bouquets of stamens that escape from each bud. The flowering period is from November to March in Tasmania, generally May under our climates.
Eucalyptus nitida grows in non-limestone, neutral to acid, well-drained soil and in sunny exposure. In its native country, there is no dry season, the climate is rainy with mild to hot summers and cool winters. It withstands frost down to about -10°C (14 °F).

A fast-growing species, this Eucalyptus will give an exotic touch to gardens. Its beautiful shiny green foliage will form a superb contrast with the Albizia julibrissin Evey's Pride, with leaves cut like ferns and becoming purple in summer. Its summer flowering in dark pink pompoms further enhances its tropical aspect although its hardiness is better than that of Eucalyptus. To continue in strong contrasts, both in colour and size, bet on Broussonetia papyrifera Golden Shadow, a small tree with large leaves and a lovely golden yellow colour in spring. And in a mild climate, dare Pittosporum tobira, with superb shiny dark green evergreen foliage and deliciously scented white flowering!