About
Acacia paradoxa is a perennial shrub characterized by its upright, spiny branches and narrow, deep green leaves (phyllodes) measuring 1-3 cm in length. In spring, it produces solitary, long-stemmed, spherical flowerheads that are about 1 cm in diameter, which appear in the leaf axils and display a golden yellow hue.
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
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse, Trees
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Australia
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Needs sheltered, frost-free conditions, such as a conservatory. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to acid well-drained soil in full sun with shelter
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in spring at not less than 18°C after soaking in warm water until swollen. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus