Eucalyptus gunnii 'Cagire' AZURA

We are specialists in evergreen plants and offer the widest possible range of hardy, quality plants. Year after year we test and trial new species and varieties which might enrich our continental C.E. gardens with something new and extraordinary. Such as eucalyptus – cider gum. In warmer parts of W. Europe one species has been cultivated for decades now: eucalyptus gunnii originally from Australia (Tasmania) whose hardiness was about -15°C, exceptionally -17°C for a short time. But that’s not enough for our zone 6 winters where winter temperature commonly drops to -23°C.

So regarding cider gum we were waiting for a miracle. Luckily for us, unluckily for most West European gardens in 2006 many e.gunnii died after a severe winter all over the continent. Same as in a French nursery where all seedlings were killed to the ground and only one plant survived. That plant showed unusual hardiness under trials in other countries, too, and also a great will to be propagated. French company Institute Technologie FCBA owns the rights to the plant which was named AZURA and patented in Europe as EU 25846 in 2008.

AZURA is undoubtedly the first reliably hardy cider gum variety of European origin. It has typically steel blue-green, rounded, highly aromatic, evergreen foliage along silvery blue stems. It grows moderately to fast and its ultimate height is expected to reach about 4-5m without pruning but it can be clipped in spring to be kept smaller. Its dramatic foliage colour and shape are impossible to imitate, and will bring a subtropical touch to your garden wherever you put it. It looks great among other green shrubs, as a lawn specimen plant, or in front of a wall or fence of whichever material (wood, stones, bricks) – it will always look special, especially in winter when the level of chlorophyll (green pigment) is reduced and the plant shows almost solely blue shades. It exhibits a dense, symmetrical habit forming and upright, broadly egg-shaped crown.

Cider gum loves full sun but will grow almost anywhere. It needs a good supply of moisture but cannot live in water-logged ground. Once established it tolerates periods of summer drought. The soil is preferred acidic, well-drained, and rich in organic matter – it benefits from clay at the bottom part of its root system but may not be transplanted into pure clay. But honestly, it will cope with almost anything. In winter provide extra watering in frost-free periods when the ground is not frozen. Keep the plant heavily mulched, especially in winter. Hardiness has not yet been tested under all possible conditions but is guaranteed to -20°C, and expected to abt. -23°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 11-10-2019