Sydney Golden Wattle

One of the hardiest Australian wattles, Acacia longifolia is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree of rounded, bushy habit, sometimes a small tree. The light-green, lance-shaped leaves (actually flattened leaf-stems, or phyllodes) are 6/15cm long and willow-like, giving this plant its other name of sallow wattle. Cylindrical spikes, 6/15cm long, of golden-yellow, mimosa-like flowers with a sweet and spicy fragrance cover the shrub from February to April. The Sydney golden wattle is a handsome shrub with an architectural quality, and gorgeous in flower; it is notably drought-tolerant, the phyllodes being an adaptation to prevent water-loss. Only for the mildest areas if grown outside, but it does well in a large pot which can be brought into a greenhouse or polytunnel for winter.

Site: Sheltered, warm site, including coastal locations
Soil: Light, well-drained, neutral to acid soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, late winter to mid-spring in particular
Hardiness: Doubtfully hardy
Height: 20 (6m) Spread: 20 (6m)