Pair of Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura'

Plants are best grown in full sun with shelter from strong winds when they are young.

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. If in doubt, err towards spring but remember to keep pots well-watered so that the soil does not dry out. 

Dig a planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting, and mix some well rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the plant is in place.

Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow to drain. Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots

Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker.

Place your shrub in the hole at the same level at the pot, then refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling). Firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball. Water well.

Pruning:

• In the second or third spring, cut back to 60-90cm (2-3ft) from the ground for pollards or 5-7.5cm (2-3in) for coppiced plants.
• Pinch sideshoots to encourage further branching.
• In subsequent years, cut back annually or every few years to the previous stubs.
• Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser each spring