The Remarkable Specimens
Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegatum
Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegatum is an evergreen shrub with dense and decorative foliage. Its light green leaves with cream-white edges, slightly wavy, adorn delicate black branches. It can be pruned, but its natural form is compact and rounded. Les Jardins de Kerdalo host one of the largest specimens in Europe, descended from Kiftsgate Court Gardens in England.
The Wollemi Pine
The Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis, discovered in 1994 in the Australian Blue Mountains, is a major botanical discovery of the 20th century. This conifer, often referred to as a “living fossil,” has connections to ancient species dating back over 200 million years. It is distinguished by its rough bark and needles. Wollemi Pines grow slowly, reaching heights of 25 to 40 meters. Les Jardins de Kerdalo house about twenty impressive specimens.
The Eucalyptus viminalis
The Eucalyptus viminalis, an Australian giant, can reach heights of 50 meters (with a record of 91 meters). It features rough bark, lance-shaped leaves measuring 8-20 cm in length, and white or cream-colored flowers. It is a symbol of Australia, and its leaves are the favored food of koalas, serving as a valuable source of nectar for many species of birds and insects. The Kerdalo Gardens have a specimen exceeding 25 meters in height.
Podocarpus salignus
The Podocarpus salignus, a conifer native to Chile, has slender leaves measuring 4-8 cm, dark green with a light underside, providing a striking contrast with its tender young leaves. It can reach a height of 20 meters with gracefully drooping branches, exuding exceptional elegance. The Kerdalo Gardens possess an exceptional specimen.