Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle)

Fast-growing, Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of loose and architectural habit with a high canopy of finely divided blue-green to silver gray leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm). The foliage remains appealing all year round. In late winter to early spring, clouds of fragrant, ball-shaped, fluffy yellow flowers held in large racemes appear on the branch tips. The bark is smooth, gray-green to dark gray, becoming fissured with age. Short-lived (50 years), this is one of the hardiest acacias. It is commonly grown by the cut-flower industry both for its foliage and flowers.

As a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family, it is related to peas and beans, and striking trees like Flamboyant, Orchid Tree, Silver Wattle, Red Bird of Paradise, Coral Tree, and Paloverde.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 40-50 ft. tall and wide (12-15 m). This plant spreads via rhizomes and seeds, and easily resprouts after being cut.
• Performs best in full sun in neutral to acid, well-drained soils in a sheltered location.
• A charming addition to beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Good for erosion control on hillsides. Excellent cut flowers.
• Prune immediately after flowering.
• Generally trouble-free, but keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Native to Tasmania, Australia.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.