Acacia dealbata

RHS Plant Profile
blue wattle

Other common names

mimosa, silver wattle

Synonyms

Acacia decurrens var. dealbata
Racosperma dealbatum

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

An evergreen shrub to 10m or more, with finely divided grey-green leaves and fragrant yellow flowerheads, borne in terminal clusters

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Acacia can be deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs or climbers, with alternate, pinnately divided leaves or simple modified leaf-like stalks (phyllodes), and tiny, sometimes fragrant, flowers in short spikes, or in racemes or spikes of spherical heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Tasmania, Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in neutral to acid well-drained soil in sheltered location with full sun. Suits urban gardens or milder south west localities, may need winter protection elsewhere. Under glass grow in peat-free, ericaceous or loam-based compost in full light. Resents hard pruning

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8 or pruning group 13 for wall-trained specimens

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus