About
Acacia melanoxylon is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 12 meters in height. Its foliage consists of leathery, grey-green structures that vary in form. Some resemble ferns with slender stems, while others present a flattened leaf stem that is longer than wide, often exhibiting a gentle curve. During spring, the tree produces clusters of small, fluffy flowers ranging from white to pale yellow, which may later transform into twisted, brown seed pods that can reach up to 10 cm in length. The bark features a grey hue with prominent dark fissures.
About the genus
Acacia comprises a variety of forms including deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs, and climbing plants. The leaves can be either alternate and pinnately compound or consist of simple, modified leaf-like structures known as phyllodes. These plants produce small flowers, which may be fragrant, arranged in short spikes, racemes, or spherical clusters.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- S Australia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow outdoors in neutral to acid well-drained soil in sheltered location with full sun. Suits courtyard and urban gardens in milder locations, but will need winter protection elsewhere. Under glass, grow in peat-free, ericaceous or loam-based compost in full light. Resents hard pruning. For more advice see tree cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or seed. For advice see propagation from seed (tree/shrub
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus