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.

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.

  • 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.

Requirements

Hardiness 9
– 11

Heat Zones 1
– 11

Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Acacia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 40'
– 50'
(12m
– 15m)
Spread 40'
– 50'
(12m
– 15m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Australia
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden