FOR SMALLL TREES AND POTS

1 Eucalyptus kybeanensis A good choice for a specimen tree in a smaller garden, grown either as a standard or as a multi-stem. The foliage is reminiscent of that of an olive tree. Best grown in the ground. Unpruned height 4m. RHS H5.

2 Eucalyptus neglecta Enormous, rounded juvenile leaves, that mature to glossy, bay-like leaves. Happy in any soil including sandy and also waterlogged clays. Fast growing. Grow in border or a large pot. Unpruned height 6m. RHS H6.

3 Eucalyptus gregsoniana Much shorter than most Eucalyptus, with a smooth, silvery and cream bark. The new stems are a coppery red and the leaves elongated. Best grown in the ground for stability or in a heavy pot. Unpruned height 5m. RHS H5.

4 Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora This selection from Mount Buffalo, Australia has oval-shaped, blue-green leaves on coral stems. Needs annual pruning to create density if it is grown as a hedge. Tolerates salt winds. Grow in pot or border. Unpruned height 6m. RHS H6.

5 Eucalyptus gunnii ‘ France Bleu’ A recently introduced cultivar with bright silvery-blue foliage. It forms a multi-stemmed shrub and needs regular pruning to keep its compact, rounded shape. Grow in a pot or border. Unpruned height 3-5m. RHS H5.

6 Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila ’Mount Bogong’ A small tree with an open habit, which looks good grown as a multi-stemmed specimen in a pot. The bark is smooth with a silver and olive colouring. Grow in a pot or border. Unpruned height 5m. RHS H6.

ADVICE FOR GROWING IN POTS

Choose a species or cultivar that lends itself to pot cultivation, such as a dwarf species or multi-stemmed specimen. Grafton grows its trees in Air-Pot containers and recommends keeping your tree in this container system for life to ensure roots remain active and healthy. Stand Air-Pots inside weighty ornamental containers and position on a flagstone to prevent rooting into the ground beneath. Pot on into next Air-Pot (four times the volume) when existing pot becomes full of roots; usually every couple of years. Mulch with bark or gravel. Prevent roots from freezing in winter.

The best watering is achieved using a drip irrigation system, but if this isn’t possible hand-water daily with enough water to run out of the bottom of the pot from April to October. Keep just moist through winter. If eucalyptus dry out, they quickly go brown and crispy. Prune in mid March (National Eucalyptus Day is 18 March) and again the first week in June – never in winter. Feed from April to September with a high potash fertiliser, sulphur chips and iron.