Acacia dealbata. Getty Images

Acacia dealbata

  • Botanical name: Acacia dealbata
  • Family: Fabeaceae
  • Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
Flower colour:

Yellow

Foliage colour:

Green

Acacia dealbata (mimosa tree, blue wattle or silver wattle) is a fast-growing, evergreen tree, with finely divided, fern-like leaves and bright yellow, fragrant flowers that look like fluffy yellow balls. It grows to a maximum height of just 12m, and makes an excellent garden tree, where its spring flowers dazzle without casting shade. Native to Australia, Acacia dealbata isn’t fully hardy in the UK so it’s important to ensure you can give it the very best growing conditions before buying it. Hardy only to between -5ºC and 1ºC, it does best in southern and coastal regions of the UK, where winters are milder.

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How to grow Acacia dealbata

Grow Acacia dealbata in a sheltered, sunny spot in well drained, neutral to acidic soil. There’s usually no need to prune but if you want to keep it at a particular size or shape it responds well to pruning. Make sure you cut back after flowering – the following year’s flowers are formed in autumn, so don’t prune after late summer.

Advice on buying Acacia dealbata

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  • Acacia dealbata is hardy only to -5ºC-1ºC, so needs a sheltered, sunny spot in a southerly or coastal region of the UK
  • Buy Acacia dealbata from a garden centre or nursery, you may find a greater vareity of sizes by shopping online
  • Always check plants for signs of disease or damage before planting

Where to buy Acacia dealbata

How to grow Acacia dealbata

  • Plant size

    12m height

    4m spread

  • Aspect

    South facing

  • Position in border

    Back

  • Sun exposure: Full shade
  • Hardiness: Half hardy
  • Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy

Acacia dealbata and wildlife

Acacia dealbata is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Attractive to Bees

Does not attract Beneficial insects

Does not attract Birds

Does not attract Butterflies​/​Moths

Does not attract Other pollinators

Is Acacia dealbata poisonous?

Acacia dealbata has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People