Eucryphia lucida Gilt Edge

The Eucryphia lucida Gift Edge is a beautiful selection of finely yellow-edged foliage and white flowers from this lovely, evergreen Australian bush appreciated for its generous and fragrant summer flowering. This variety thrives in sunny, acidic to neutral, well-draining soil that remains moist, under climates that are both humid and mild. Fairly easy requirements to meet in gardens in mild and coastal gardens.

The Eucryphia lucida Gift Edge belongs to the family of Cunoniaceae, which includes about 300 species of trees and shrubs found in temperate to tropical regions of the southern hemisphere. Eucryphia lucida (synonym E. billardieri) is native to the humid and temperate regions of Australia and Tasmania. In nature, it takes the form of a narrow tree reaching a height of 25 m (82 ft). In our climates, the Eucryphia lucida is a large bush or a small tree that does not exceed 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in height and 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in width when planted in the ground. When grown in a container, its dimensions will be much smaller. An adult specimen can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14 °F), but its foliage is destroyed from -7°C (19.4 °F).

Gift Edge Eucryphia reaches approximately 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in height and 1.75 m (5 ft 8 in) in width at maturity. It is a slow-growing bush with a columnar habit, composed of numerous upright and flexible branches, velvety and slightly sticky. Its dense, evergreen foliage in winter consists of entire and narrow leaves, elongated oval in shape, 4 cm (1.6 in) long, finely edged with yellow to cream on a green background. The young leaves are shiny and the mature leaves are simply glossy. The massive and fragrant flowering generally starts in August and continues throughout the month of September. The flowers take the form of cup-shaped flowers, measuring 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) in diameter, composed of 4 petals. In 'Gift Edge', the petals are pure white. The flower's centre is crowned by a lovely bouquet of brown stamens. After pollination by pollinating insects, the fruits are formed, which are small capsules containing winged seeds.

Eucryphia lucida Gift Edge is grown in the ground in regions where the winter is mild and the summer is temperate, only in well-drained non-limestone soil. To accompany it, consider the Chilean Firetree (Embothrium coccineum), the Metrosideros Mistral, or the Grevillea robusta, for example, shrubs that appreciate the same environments. Pruned each year, it can adapt to being grown in large pots or containers. In colder regions, it will be necessary to find a place to overwinter it, such as a conservatory.