Acacia baileyana prostrate form (Cootamundra Wattle)
17 Comments »28th January, 2009; Category: Acacia, Climbers and Ground Covers, Hardy Australian Native PLants
Acacia baileyana prostrate form (Cootamundra Wattle)
The prostrate form of Acacia baileyana is a lovely form of the taller tree. Even without flowers, the dense, grey green foliage is attractive in a garden setting. It cascades over slopes and follows the contour of the ground and it is excellent for covering large areas as a ground cover as it grows 30-60 cm tall and 3-4 metres wide. It has bright yellow flowers from winter to spring. It is a very hardy plant in most situations, withstanding dry periods and growing in full sun to part shade in sand, clay or loam.
A photo of the larger form in flower can be seen here.
Acacia pulchella (Western Prickly Moses)
No Comments »26th July, 2008; Category: Acacia, Drought Tolerant Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants
A variable shrub, spreading, can be dwarfed or up tp 1.5m tall by 1-2 wide. Pulchella means beautiful, and to prolong its life, prune after flowering. In fact I have discovered that wattles can be pruned quite successfully and in some cases quite severely. This Acacia flowers in July until November.
It needs well drained light to heavy soil, dappled shade to full sun. Even though it is prickly, it can be used quite successfully to control human foot traffic, and animal access. This is another which can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Watch for new growth following pruning for cutting material. This Acacia is drought hardy and lime tolerant.
See here for growing from seed, and here for growing from cuttings.
Acacia lasiocarpa
No Comments »24th July, 2008; Category: Acacia, Drought Tolerant Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants
Acacia lasiocarpa is a Western Australian species which was regarded as Acacia pulchella.
This is a variable shrub .5-2m x 1-3m, dense to open, or spreading. Some varieties have small spines. It has yellow globular flower heads at the ends of the branches. It grows in reasonably well drained light to heavy soil, in dappled shade or full sun. It is drought hardy and lime tolerant and is ornamental. This plant can be propagated by seed or from cuttings.
See here for information on taking cuttings.
See here for growing wattles from seed.
Acacia iteaphylla (Flinders Range Wattle)
5 Comments »22nd July, 2008; Category: Acacia, Drought Tolerant Plants, Frost Hardy Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants
Acacia iteaphylla (Flinders Range Wattle)
This is one of my favourite wattles. I’ve had a hedge of them for over 20 years, and here they are the first to flower, beginning in Autumn. I noticed another hedge of them in the town in good bloom. This uaually means that there hasn’t been much rain here because the blooms spoil in the rain.
Well grown plants reach 3-5m tall by 3-6m wide. They have pale yellow sprays of flowers and can be pruned. It is very adaptable and is drought resistant and lime tolerant. Some forms have pretty new growth, and can be pendulous or upright in growth habit. Use as an ornamental or low windbreak as well as a hedge.
Acacia acinacea (Gold Dust Wattle)
Acacia acinacea
This wattle has just about finished now. I was able to get a few photos this year. It is another of the local Acacias and its common name is indicative of the colour. Mine grows at the base of mallees and gets morning sun. As a result it is about 70cm tall. It can get to one and a half metres. Rather a spindly plant with widely arching branches but each branch is smothered in gold flowers. I look forward to this one flowering each year.
I do like wattles. Many people complain about them and there is no doubt that some have an overpowering perfume. There are so many that do not that there is bound to be one that will suit a garden. So many are also frost, drought and lime tolerant. When the flowers have finished they make a good background to other plants when they are in flower.