Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’ is a slow-growing, highly ornamental Australian native tree or large shrub. It is mainly grown for its spectacular, highly desirable foliage. The leaves are typically juvenile, meaning they are perfectly rounded, stalkless (sessile), and clasp the stems in opposite pairs. This foliage is covered in a heavy white bloom, giving it an intense, silvery-blue or glaucous colour. This tree is fantastic as a small feature tree, screen, or windbreak, but it is most famous for being the source of the highly popular ‘Silver Dollar’ or ‘Gunnii’ style foliage used extensively in the cut flower industry. Regular coppicing (cutting back hard) can be done to maintain a shrub form and encourage maximum production of the attractive juvenile leaves.
Care Tips:
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Position: Thrives in full sun to maximise the silver-blue colour and density of the foliage.
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Soil: Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including poor or clay soils, provided they are relatively well-drained. It is naturally hardy.
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Watering: Very drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly when young to ensure a strong root system develops.
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Pruning:
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For a Tree: Minimal pruning is required, just remove lower branches if you want to develop a single trunk.
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For Foliage/Shrub Form: Cut the plant back hard (coppice) every 1–2 years to about knee height. This forces the plant to produce masses of new stems with the prized juvenile, round, silvery leaves instead of maturing into the elongated adult foliage.
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Fertilising: Does not require heavy feeding. Use a slow-release native fertiliser (low phosphorus) in spring if desired.
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Tolerances: Excellent tolerance to both dry conditions and heavy frosts.
