Acacia podalyriifolia (Pearl Acacia) - A quick growing evergreen small tree or large shrub that grows to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide with silvery-gray round phyllodes (as it leaf-like flattened petioles) and small, fluffy clusters of bright yellow flowers in winter to early spring.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and avoid over irrigating in summer months unless soil drains very well. Cold hardy to 25 degrees F or a few degrees less if for short duration. Pearl Acacia can be trained into a rounded open-head tree for the patio or garden or can be pruned back hard after flowering to maintain in bush form and is relatively long lived if not overwatered.
This plant grows naturally in Australia from woodlands and forests from southeastern Queensland to northern New South Wales but has naturalized elsewhere, including along the coast of New South Wales and Victoria. The name Acacia comes either from the Greek word 'akazo' meaning "to sharpen" or from the Egyptian word 'akakia', a name given to the Egyptian Thorn, Acacia arabica. The specific epithet comes from the resemblance of the foliage to plants in the South African genus Podalyria. It is also called Queensland Silver Wattle.
This species was introduced into California by the Santa Barbara based Italian botanist Dr Francesco Franceschi (AKA Emanuele Orazio Fenzi) in 1908 and we have grown it at our nursery since 1980.
The information about Acacia podalyriifolia that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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