Eucalyptus coccifera . (Tasmanian Snow Gum)

Tasmanian Snow Gum. It sounds chewy, doesn't it? In fact if you like peppermint you will love this tree as the long, slender grey-green foliage emits a powerful minty scent when rubbed. On hot sunny days as the oils in the tree simmer you’ll get wafts of it from quite far away: delightful. 

These trees come from the subalpine and alpine regions of Tasmania, often right up by the snow line. Its habit is variable as some trees grow shorter and wider while others grow taller to 15m. We suppose that’s in response to a variable native habitat and natural ability to manage under some quite severe extremes

A typical Eucalypt in many ways, its smooth trunk becomes a silver, grey and white patchwork with tawny splodges and peeling bits that are impossible to resist fondling. You’ll plant it within arms-reach, won't you? The lanceolate leaves droop from the stems in a slightly lacrimose manner but their matte-effect tremble and shimmer is beautiful.

Popular with florists as it’s long-lasting in flower arrangements but we think is even better in the garden: it has the potential to become a large and handsome specimen tree and suits a Mediterranean garden especially well. Happy on any soil that’s reasonably-drained, but must have full sun.