Acacia podalyriifolia

[MattyB]

Acacia podalyriifolia is one of my favorite trees. It's really going off now and is completely covered in yellow blossoms. This tree grows, and thrives, in the driest locations with absolutely no irrigation. In fact, the western garden book says "will not tolerate summer irrigation". That's crazy! If you like the round, silver leaves of the silver dollar eucalyptus, but don't have room for such a massive tree, this Acacia is perfect because it only gets to be about 15-20 feet overall. I've found that germinating the seeds is very easy, but caring for the small seedlings is difficult. They just sit there at about 1" tall and do nothing for about 2 years. Well, they do something, the rot and die! But if you can get them past those first couple of years, they start to grow and are very strong trees after that.

2 other Acacias in the photos are:

Acacia xanthophloea - directly behind the A. podalyriifolia, you can see the spiney tree

Acacia dealbata - that large upright, blue green tree in the foreground.

[Jastin]

That looks really nice Matt. It's always nice when you don't have to worry about watering something!

[aloetom]

Nice, a great genus of trees !

I have collected many African and Arabian species over the years.

The flowers and often the scent of the flowers are worth it.

Be well.

[ThunderSRQ]

Very cool Matt -- I also really like the Acacias (however, I think the Florida humidity would be too much for this one... ).

Re: your Acacia xanthophloea - are you giving it a lot of water (via drip irrigation) there? Mine here seem to really need a lot of water (and quickly wilt when too dry) -- ?

Tim

[MattyB]

Tim,

I only watered the A. xanthophloea 1 time (really deep) this past summer because finally it's established. But you're right, they require plenty of water when they're young. This one took about 5 years to get established on this dry hill.

[bahia]

This does well here in the SF Bay Area as well, and I haven't noticed any slow growth as a young plant in containers, but it probably does spend more energy on forming deep roots versus top growth in the first years. It will accept limited drip irrigation in garden settings without complaint, but tends to be somewhat short-lived as many Acacias are. The hairy nearly white foliage is reason enough to grow this. It's available in 4" sizes mail order from Annie's Annuals Nursery, or as 5/15 gallon sizes from San Marcos Growers Wholesale Nursery in Santa Barbara.

[Peter]

Nice Matty. Another great Acacia is spectabilis; my neighbor has one that is about to burst into colour. Very fast, great foliage, stays about 15' tall, and doesn't need very much water.

[Texeltropics]

I would love to have some seeds from this Acacia podalyriifolia, so i can germinate and grow it...its great!.Is there anyone that knows where to find the seeds?

[MattyB]

Esther,

If you can remind me in a few months, when my tree has seeds, I'll send you some.

[Texeltropics]

thanks Matty! i Will.....

[FNQ Marcus]

I would love to have some seeds from this Acacia podalyriifolia, so i can germinate and grow it...its great!.Is there anyone that knows where to find the seeds?

In Nederland!?

Well, I've seen them handle -2 degrees C in the wild, so you might as well give it a try.

[Texeltropics]

O. Marcus that is great news... i will keep it as plant in pot so i can put it inside. We have had temperatures from -17 -18 celsius last 2 years so that would kill it

[BS Man about Palms]

[JasonD]

Gosh I wish I knew how to get photos into my posts here...

Acacia stenophylla & elata rock.