Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

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Acacia farnesiana

Also Known As

Acacia farnesiana ssp. minuta x smallii
Acacia minuta
Acacia smallii
Vachellia farnesiana
Needle Bush
Sweet Wattle

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 10'-30'
W: 10'-30'

planting zones

9a-11

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Acacia farnesiana plant details

Acacia farnesiana is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub or tree with blue foliage. In spring and winter yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acacia farnesiana

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: fabaceae
Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen blue
Mature size: 10 FT - 30 FT - wide, 10 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and winter
Uses: fragrant, small tree, tropical-looking, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acacia farnesiana

USDA Zones: 9a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: clay, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The flowers on this Acacia are so sweetly fragrant, it is widely grown in Southern France for the perfume industry. A woody, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, 3’ to 9’ tall, it bears large, golden, puff-balls in groups of 50 or more commonly in Winter or Spring, before the leaves appear and making quite the show. The flowers are strongly scented of violet and are followed by large, brown-black seed pods. The branching pattern is intricate and zig-zaggy, the branches turning silvery and spiny. The pretty, lacy foliage provides perfect filtered, diffused shade. EASY to grow, it thrives in ANY SOIL, including POOR DRAINING CLAY. Nice in the open garden containers, or used as a hedge or screen.