Eucalyptus rubida

Eucalyptus rubida, also known as the candlebark gum is a medium-to-large-sized species, forming a rounded, sometimes spreading tree when planted alone. Highly ornamental with its beautiful whitish bark, this Eucalyptus displays beautiful blue evergreen foliage in its juvenile stage, turning blue-green. Its white flowering, which can appear at different months of the year, is relatively insignificant. It is one of the hardiest of the genus and can be acclimatised in most regions, especially as it accepts many growing conditions, even tolerating moderately chalky soil. A beautiful species with fairly rapid growth that deserves to be planted more often.

Eucalyptus are members of the large Myrtaceae family, rich in about 130 genera distributed in the tropical and warm temperate regions of the globe. There are approximately 800 species of Eucalyptus, almost all originating from Australia. This one grows in a vast area ranging from the mountains of eastern New South Wales, to the Australian Alps of Victoria and extending to southeastern Tasmania, in hillside, plateau and mountain slope situations, on poor and shallow soils. Two subspecies are distinguished in nature, which mainly differ in terms of bark, one being smooth, the other rough. With rather rapid growth, Eucalyptus rubida most often grows in poor soils.
It forms a tree 20m (65 ft 7 in) high, sometimes more, with a slightly flared or rounded habit, about fifteen metres in width. Some isolated specimens can adopt a more spreading habit and form majestic subjects, wider than tall. Generally, this species shows a certain genetic variability, which can also manifest itself in the colour of the bark. Generally a beautiful white, it is often powdery and can mix with grey, beige or pink. At the base of the trunk, the bark can be rough while it is smooth elsewhere and remnants of variable colours persist here and there, especially on the large branches. In any case, it is very decorative and greatly contributes to the interest of this species.
This Eucalyptus develops a lignotuber, an underground formation rich in starch intended to rebuild the aerial part in case of destruction (by fire for example). It thus has the ability to shoot from the stump, with many axillary buds developing in all directions. This is an asset, as it allows it to respond very well to pruning, and even coppicing, which allows for rejuvenation of a specimen.
Its juvenile foliage is particularly decorative, consisting of round, bluish leaves 2.5 to 6 cm (1 to 2.4 in) in diameter, without petioles and inserted face to face on the branches, often used in floral arrangements. The adult foliage consists of alternate leaves, much larger, lanceolate to crescent-shaped and measuring from 8 to 17 cm (3.1 to 6.7 in) long and from 0.8 to 3.4 cm (0.3 to 1.3 in) wide. They have a variable colour, green, grey-green or blue-green, and often a somewhat dull appearance. The foliage is evergreen and decorative all year round.
The flowering is a little too insignificant to be ornamental. The white flowers consist of bouquets of stamens as in many Myrtaceae, and are certainly pretty with their pompom-like appearance, but as they are small and do not provide any real interest, drowned in the mass of foliage.
Eucalyptus rubina is very hardy and can withstand frosts down to -15°C. It is a species that is undemanding in terms of soil type, growing well in both neutral and acidic soil and even tolerating a certain proportion of limestone. Appreciating moist to wet, but well-drained soils, it can also adjust to drought once well rooted. Occasional watering in these conditions will always be beneficial.

Easy to acclimatise in most regions, except those too cold or too dry, Eucalyptus rubida will be the centrepiece of a medium-sized garden. Its beautiful bark, evergreen foliage and elegant, well-balanced habit will provide many visual assets to animate an exotic-inspired scene, even in a cool climate. You can accompany it with other plants such as  Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), a small tree with a tropical appearance, but very hardy, which gives fruits that look like mangoes, and taste like a hybrid with banana. A Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) will also allow you to enjoy delicious fruits, while adding a small tree with dark green, glossy foliage to your scene, evocative of distant lands.