About
Eucalyptus nicholii, Nichol's willow-leafed peppermint, is a fast-growing evergreen tree to 18 m with an open, rounded crown of weeping branches bearing linear, pendent, silvery-green juvenile leaves and narrow, peppermint-scented adult leaves to 13 cm. Domed clusters of typically seven white flowers appear in autumn, followed by rounded to bell-shaped, woody fruits. A graceful and ornamental specimen tree for a sheltered, sunny garden.
About the genus
Eucalyptus are evergreen trees or large shrubs, most native to Australia, often fast-growing with attractive, often peeling or mottled bark, aromatic foliage and clusters of fluffy white, yellow or red flowers. Grown as specimen trees, hedges or coppiced for foliage in gardens and parks.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toAustralia
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in a moist, but well-drained soil in full sun, but can also tolerate wetter soils and unusually partial shade. Suitable for mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils. Able to withstand cold temperatures when mature but shelter from cold, drying winds especially when young. See eucalyptus cultivation
PruningPruning group 1 or, for best juvenile foliage, pruning group 7 For more information see Eucalyptus: pruning
PropagationPropagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring and summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to silver leaf, oedema and honey fungus