Acacia paradoxa

RHS Plant Profile

hedge wattle

Other common names

kangaroo thorn, prickly wattle

Synonyms

Acacia ornithophora
Acacia armata

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse Trees

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An evergreen shrub with erect spiny stems and lance-shaped deep green leaves (phyllodes) 1-3cm long. Solitary, long-stalked, spherical, golden yellow flowerheads, 1cm across are produced along the branches from the leaf axils in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–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

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Needs sheltered, frost-free conditions, such as a conservatory. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to acid well-drained soil in full sun with shelter

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring at not less than 18°C after soaking in warm water until swollen. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Sub-tropical
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus