Eucalyptus pulchella

Eucalyptus pulchella is a little-known species, but one that deserves to be known, and decorative in more ways than one. This tree, which can reach a height of about ten metres, has a relatively wide habit, forming very beautiful standalone specimens. Its trunk is dressed in beautiful smooth cream or yellow bark, sometimes also in shades of grey or pink. The excessively thin, linear leaves in a beautiful dark green, are very aromatic when crushed, exhaling a pleasant peppermint fragrance. A delicate white flowering, made up of umbels of flowers reduced to their stamens, adorns this light foliage. Fairly easy to grow in well-drained soil, it requires sunny exposure and winters which are not too cold.

Eucalyptus belongs to the large Myrtaceae family, like the Callistemon (Bottlebrush), the Feijoa or of course the Myrtle. The Eucalyptus genus has more than 800 species, almost all native to Australia, except a few from Southeast Asia. The Eucalyptus pulchella (synonym of E. linearis) is a species native to Tasmania, a large island located south of Australia. Its distribution area spreads throughout the southeast of the island, where it grows at low altitudes in hilly areas, often in very poor soils. The climate there is mild to hot in summer, but cool to cold in winter, and there is no marked dry season.
In these conditions, it forms a small to medium-sized tree, of moderately rapid growth, which can reach 20 m (66 ft) high over time. This species presents the particularity, quite common among Eucalyptus, of developing a lignotuber, an underground formation rich in starch intended to regrow the aerial part in case of destruction (by fire in particular). Numerous buds then develop, forming abundant shoots. This characteristic is very interesting for ornamental use, as it allows rejuvenation of the plant.
Under our climates, its growth will be less, limited to about ten or a dozen metres in height and 7 to 9 m (23 to 30 ft) in spread. It adopts a rather wide and ample habit, with well-staged branching giving it a very harmonious silhouette. This elegant tree has a very decorative bark, smooth when young, it is cream or light yellow, sometimes tending towards grey or pink. As it ages, the base of the trunk up to 1 or 2 m (3 ft or 7 ft) high becomes more fibrous, and of a grey-brown colour, exfoliating in long, thin shreds.
The foliage is another asset of this species: evergreen and elegant, it is ornamental all year round. The juvenile foliage is made up of small, sessile, opposite leaves,  measuring only 2.5 to 3 cm (1 to 1.2 in) long by 2 to 4 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) wide. Lanceolate, practically linear (hence the second species name of Eucalyptus linearis), and green. The adult foliage differs essentially by its larger size and petiolate and alternate leaves, which can reach 12 cm (4.7 in) long by 1 cm (0.4 in) wide. Quite dark green in colour, they fall lightly on either side of the branches. While their aesthetics are already remarkable, they hide a second asset, a very pronounced peppermint fragrance when crushed.
The flowering which appears in Tasmania in February-March and also in November-December is in the form of charming white pompoms. These are in fact round petal-less flowers, composed of a multitude of white stamens. They bloom between the leaves, grouped in umbels of 9 to 20 all along the branches, and very visible in the middle of the fine foliage. They are followed by the formation of green fruits shaped like cones, without real ornamental interest.
This Eucalyptus needs well-drained, neutral to acidic soil, and a sunny exposure to develop well. Once well-rooted, it proves quite resistant to dryness. Warmer coastal climates will also suit it, provided it is planted in well-draining soil, even thin and poor.

Eucalyptus pulchella is a beautiful tree that will find a place in a group or isolated, even in small gardens. It tolerates severe pruning well and its growth is slower than many other species of the genus. It will bring a delicate exotic touch to the garden. Plant Pink Indigotier (Indigofera heterantha), a pretty bush with compound foliage of a beautiful deep green, and summer clusters of purple-pink flowers, at its feet. In a mild climate, Pittosporum tenuifolium Purpureum will allow you to create a sumptuous contrast thanks to its small wavy leaves of a dark purple which will strongly contrast with the light bark of your Eucalyptus.