Acacia baileyana

RHS Plant Profile
Cootamundra wattle

Other common names

golden mimosa

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A large, graceful evergreen shrub to 6m in height, with fern-like, silvery-grey leaves and axillary racemes of small, globose yellow flowerheads in winter and spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

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
Australia (New South Wales)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter, keeping barely moist. Can be grown outdoors in warmer climates

Propagation

Propagate by seed at a minimum of 18°C in spring or root semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance
  • 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