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Family: Myrtaceae
Native to: southeast Australia at moderate altitudes
Dimensions: tree to 50', often with irregular shape
Cold resistance: hardy to 15°F
Drought resistance: good
Key Features: heart-shaped grey juvenile leaves with alternate arrangement, pendulous adult leaves, cream flowers in late summer are almost showy, rough bark
Uses: great for cut foliage, adaptable, easy, good in coastal gardens/mild microclimates
Description:
For a variation on the "rounded juvenile leaves" theme seen in eucalyptus, try this species, which has alternate, rather than opposite, juvenile leaves that are heart-shaped rather than round. Besides having excellent potential as a cut foliage plant, it also makes an attractive tree with an irregular and sometimes contorted habit, long pendulous leaves, and rather showy white flowers in late summer. This species is popular in the Southeast for its ability to thrive in hot, humid conditions and grow back very vigorously if it freezes to the ground. It has also been successful in the desert climate of Las Cruces, New Mexico. It seems to be hardy to about 15°F in the Pacific Northwest, but can certainly handle at least 10°F in the South.
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