There is always room in the garden, be it big or small, to accommodate some small shrubs. This time we will concentrate on small wattles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We tend to think of wattles as medium to tall shrubs but there are a surprising number that grow to a maximum height of 1.5 metres. There are also a few that develop into attractive ground covers. All the varieties described will survive and thrive in local gardens.
Remember, as the flowers fade, to cut off each branch behind the expired blooms. This will have a triple benefit. Foliage will be denser, flowering will increase and the life of the plant will be extended.
Acacia dawsonii is a local species that grows along the Waterfall Way, east of Armidale near Cooney station. Over the years, this species has formed dense, colourful clumps beside the road.
This small wattle reaches a maximum height of 1.5m. The leaves are long, narrow and up to 12cm long. Golden yellow, flower heads cover the plants in late spring and early summer.
Acacia dawsonii is also found in northern Victoria and southern Queensland.
Small wattles may be cultivated in a number of situations.
Acacia amblygona is known as the fan wattle and is found from central NSW to southern Queensland.
The fan wattle has triangular, light green foliage crowned with a sharp point. The bright yellow flowers are carried in globular heads. Blooms are carried for a lengthy period during spring.
There is a form that develops into a dense ground cover that has a spread of 2m by 2m. The growth is thick enough to inhibit weed growth. The light green foliage provides a pleasant contrast with the bright blooms.
The fan wattle could be grown spilling down an embankment or growing under shrubs in native garden beds. In both situations, this wattle will form living mulch.
Acacia flexifolia, the bent-leaf wattle, is usually a bushy, upright shrub that may reach a height of 1.5m. As the name implies, the 2cm long leaves are bent upwards. The flowers are lemon-yellow and held in small globular heads. Flowering starts in late winter and often extends into early summer. This is usually the first of the spring flowering wattles to bloom. We regard it as a very early herald of spring.
The bent-leaf wattle is common in the Coonabarabran area. There are also populations in our region. One is worthy of particular attention. This population grows along Thunderbolts Way, near Abington. These plants develop into small, spreading shrubs usually less than 1m tall. These plants have great horticultural potential and should be brought into cultivation. This species will propagate from both seed and cuttings.
Acacia buxifolia, the box-leaf wattle, is another local resident that is found along the Long Point Road, near Hillgrove. The leaves are oval-shaped and 3cm long. The golden yellow flowers are held in globular clusters and cover plants in spring. There is a form with attractive purple foliage that provides an interesting contrast with the flowers.
Small wattles may be cultivated in a number of situations. All the species discussed could be cultivated in containers.
More tips for your New England garden from Warren Sheather:
