Description
Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Azura’ – Dwarf Cider Gum
The ‘bush’ variant consists of some twin-stems and other shrubby small forms. Please ask for a photograph if you would like to know more.
Shoots ‘n Leaves: Young shoots are covered in silvery white wax
Juvenile foliage: Rounded, intense silvery blue
Adult foliage: Intermediate foliage is elliptical and then the foliage will change to the typical lanceolate E. gunnii foliage as the tree matures; however the internodes are very short, giving a bushy appearance. Regular pruning will encourage the rounded juvenile blue foliage.
Bark: Smooth bark in pewter grey, cream, olive or sometimes pinky brown, flaking off in large pieces to reveal new bark in shades of pale gold or creamy silver.
Flowers: White flowers followed by gum nuts.
Leaf Aroma: Typical strong Eucalyptus fragrance.
Rate of Growth: Slowish for a Eucalyptus. In the nursery, they have grown about 30cm (1ft) over 4 months, so will possibly grow 60-90cm (2-3ft) in an average year. We will update this page as we gather data from our nursery trials.
Height in maturity, if left unpruned: Current estimates are that E. gunnii ‘Azura’ will reach 5m (15ft) tall by about 2m wide, and in the medium to long term approximately 10m (30ft) in the long term. It may be taller in exceptional growing conditions, but still less than half the finished height of its parents. Remember, E. gunnii ‘Azura’ is a versatile, much bushier tree than straight E. gunnii; reminiscent of a Pittosporum in habit and can be kept trimmed to form a small tree or ‘shrub-on-a-stick’ for the smaller garden.
Hardiness: Root system hardy in the region of -14 to -16°C, exceptionally hardy for a Eucalyptus, once mature.