Paraserianthes lophantha

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Cape wattle

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Cape wattle visionspictures.com
Cape wattle visionspictures.com

Other common names

Cape Leeuwin wattle, crested wattle, plume albizia, two-spiked acacia

Synonyms

Paraserianthes distachya
Albizia distachya
Albizia lophantha

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Shrubs
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A tender shrub or small tree with dark green, feathery foliage, leaflets oblong to ovate. In late Spring, bottle brush type, cream flowers appear in axillary spikes, followed by large brown seeds resembling pea-pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
All parts may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S W Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in free-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered position. This is a tender shrub that may survive in very sheltered gardens or can be container grown and overwintered indoors. Suitable for a glasshouse

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in Summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt