About
Acacia retinodes is a substantial evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 6 meters. It features slender, lance-shaped phyllodes that resemble leaves, and produces round, lemon-yellow flower clusters that appear in short axillary racemes at various times throughout the year.
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
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- S Australia, Tasmania
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in frost-free conditions (minimum temperature 3-5°C (37-41°F). Plant in peat-free John Innes No 2 compost in full light. During the growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser on a monthly basis. In winter, water sparingly
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed that has been soaked in warm water. Sow at no less than 18°C (64°F). Alternatively, 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