54 NURSERIES
The Virtuous
AC ACIA
Acacia pravissima flower
Acacia aphylla
When one hears the name Acacia, one
might, unfortunately, think of shrubs
which take over the countryside and create
allergic reactions in those who are so
inclined. At first, I too was not impressed
with the genus, only knowing the Black
Acacia that was taking over the ditches
near where I grew up. Well, please, let me
tell you that Acacias don’t deserve such a
bad rap. As a matter of fact, in my humble
opinion, they seem to have many good
virtues, and offer much to the gardener.
In a genus of more than 1500 species
around the globe, with the concentration
in the Southern Hemisphere, Acacias
come in a wide range of shapes and sizes:
from grand forest trees of 150’, to low,
groundcovers no more than several inches
tall; with the majority (over 900 species)
coming from Australia, where they are
known as Wattles. Depending on the
variety, many are grown for: cut flowers,
oil, gums, wood and lumber production,
fodder, dye, perfume, hedges and fencing,
preventing soil erosion and many
ornamental purposes.
As so many of the best among Acacias
are from Australia, many of them do well
in our various, and often dramatically
different, California climatic zones.
Acacias are naturally found occurring in
rainforests, along the coast and in arid,
inland regions. In such a varied group,
there is certainly a plant for almost any
garden setting. There are even smaller-growing varieties which can readily be
grown in pots, as well as some which are
suitable for Bonsai.
Flower variation is minimal—being
either a mass of small flowers in either
rod-shaped or spherical clusters; varying
from white, cream and yellow (though
there are a few which are orange and one
that’s purple). Though, each individual
flower may not be much to behold, when
many species are in full bloom, they
are truly awesome sights indeed; with
many being magnets for wildlife—bees,
butterflies and birds. And, after blooming
is past, many offer decorative, bean-like
seedpods (some of which are edible to
humans, and others which are relished by
birds and livestock).
Acacia baileyana aurea
Story & Photos by
Robert Goleman
