Scientific Name
Acacia dealbata Link
Common Name(s)
Silver Wattle, Blue Wattle, Mimosa
Synonym(s)
Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata, Acacia decurrens var. dealbata, Acacia decurrens var. dealbata, Acacia affinis, Acacia derwentii, Acacia puberula, Racosperma dealbatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Acacieae
Genus: Acacia
Flower
Color: Bright yellow
Bloom Time: January to April
Description
Acacia dealbata is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or tree that grows up to 100 feet (30 m) tall. Leaves are bipinnate, glaucous blue-green to silvery-grey, up 7 inches (17.5 cm) long, and up to 4.4 inches (11 cm) wide. They have 6 to 30 pairs of pinnae, each pinna divided into 10 to 68 pairs of leaflets. Flowers are produced in large racemose inflorescences of numerous smaller globose bright yellow flowerheads of 13 to 42 individual flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 7a to 10b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Acacia requires full sunlight and grows in nearly any type of soil, including sand, clay, or highly alkaline or acidic soil. Although Acacia prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates muddy soil for short periods. Acacia is basically a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need wildlife protection while developing its defense system. During the first year, the tree benefits from an orchid fertilizer every three to four weeks. After that time, you can feed the tree a general-purpose fertilizer once every year, but it isn't an absolute requirement. Acacia requires little or no water.
Acacia may need occasional pruning during the dry months. Avoid pruning leafy, green areas, and trim only dead growth.
Although the tree is disease-resistant, it can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, thrips, mites, and scale.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Acacia.
Origin
This species is native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory and is widely introduced in the Mediterranean, warm temperate, and highland tropical landscapes.
Links
- Back to genus Acacia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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