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Plough
Field Allotments at Amerton
Gardening
Tips
By Mrs FM
Hartley.
Unusual
& Old
Fashioned Fruit
Trees.
Unusual
Vegetables,
Herbs & Other
Edible Plants.
Environmental
Issues And Going Green.
Vines
And Other Climbing Plants.
Fish
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Books
By
Alan J Hartley
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Tree Project.
Acacia Baileyana or Dealbata.
Acacia come in many
shapes and sizes as they can be deciduous, or evergreen shrubs or trees,
and they can even be climbers. Acacia Pycnantha, or Golden Wattle as it
is commonly called, is in fact Australia’s national flower. Another
common name given to Acacias is The Mimosa Tree, but they are not
related at all to the Mimosa Pudica, or sensitive plant that many people
like to grow as an unusual house plant.
Acacia Baileyana and Dealbata are the two most common species available
here in the Uk. Dealbata is one of the hardiest and smaller ones that
will typically grow to some 6 metres or so, but most Acacias grow to
some 20-40 feet and many have a short lifespan of only 20-30 years.
Although a Native of Australia they can be found in many warmer
countries and grow as a weed in South Africa, India, Portugal, Sardinia,
Florida and Hawaii to name but a few. As they are a plant of warmer
climates they are perhaps best grown in pots, or large tubs here in the
UK so that they can be taken into shelter for the colder winter months.
Perhaps planted in a sheltered city garden that has, well drained and
light sandy soil, they may survive outdoors. Although they need
protection from the cold they will withstand quite strong winds as they
put down deep roots that seek out water and thereby help to make them
drought tolerant when they are established as well. Their strong and
extensive roots can result in the plants suckering and their roots are
also nitrogen fixing helping to generate the very fast growth that is
typical of Acacias. In particularly dry conditions most will drop their
leaves as indeed they may do in severe cold weather. They have almost
Fern like, glaucous, grey green leaves and a typically yellow flower.
However, there is also a purple variety called Acacia Purpurea, or The
Cootamundra Wattel. After the flowers, a bean like seed pod is produced
that has non toxic seeds, at least they are for humans, but they are
toxic to dogs.
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