Acacia is a very large genus of plants in the family Mimosaceae, a subfamily of the Fabaceae or Pea family. Acacia species are found throughout the world; however most of the species that are cultivated in California come from Australia. There are many diverse forms within the genus. These range from large trees to prostrate shrubs. Many of the plants in cultivation are noted for their form, foliage color, flowering accent, adaptability and cultural tolerances. In many cases all of these attributes combine to make an exceptionally attractive and useful plant.

There are several cultural considerations when planting Acacia.

Pruning
It is wise to select the appropriate plant for a given situation but in many cases the ultimate form of an Acacia is determined by pruning; a large shrub species can be trained into a small tree or a tree species can become a shrub. To form shrubs out of trees, top out the main leader; to create a tree from a shrub, prune out the side branches and stake. Shaded branches tend to dieback and should be pruned out. Pruning to open an acacia shrub or tree will minimize this as well as produce sturdier branches which will prevent wind damage - deadwood is easily felled by strong winds.

Frost
Acacias can withstand a fair amount of cold weather, but most cannot tolerate long periods below 20° F.

Irrigation and Fertilizing
Newly planted Acacias require an infrequent yet deep watering to produce a well anchored, deeply rooted plant. Once established; usually within the first year in the ground, most Acacia can thrive with just rainfall and a few deep waterings. More frequent watering can promote root rot which can kill otherwise healthy plants. Acacia do not require heavy amounts of fertilizer and in some cases can be harmed by the addition of fertilizers high in phosphorus.

Lifespan
In general Acacias are relatively short lived, lasting anywhere from 20-40 years though older specimens of some species, such as Black Acacia (Acacia melanoxylon) are noted in the wild and in cultivation. This short life span is often compensated for by rapid growth and youthful vigor. Acacias also will often flower within their second year so by the time a tree or shrub is planted it is usually of flowering age.

Sansevieria currently being grown at San Marcos Growers

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Acacia aphylla Live Wire - Upright evergreen leaflesss 6-9' tall shrub w/blue-green spiny stems & winter-spring yellow flwrs. Full/part sun. Little H20. Hardy to 18 F.  Acacia baileyana Fernleaf Acacia - Evergreen tree to 30'x40' w/ yellow flowers in early spring. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Hardy to 15-20 degrees F.  Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' Purple Fernleaf Acacia - Evergreen tree to 20-30' tall by equal width w/purple new growth & yellow flwrs in spring. Full sun. Low water needs. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F  Acacia boormanii Snowy River Wattle - Fine textured upright evergreen shrub to 15 ft tall by 12 ft. wide. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 10-15 degrees F.  Acacia cognata River Wattle - Evergreen fine textured tree to 20' tall and as wide w/narrow green lvs & pale yellow flwrs in spring. Full sun. Occasional H20. Hardy to 20-25F.  Acacia cognata Cousin Itt ['ACCOG01'] PP25,133 Little River Wattle - Evergreen shrub 2-3' x 8+' w/green fine textured foliage. Full sun/light shade - well drained soil & occasional H2O. Hardy to 20-25 F. PP25,133  Acacia covenyi Blue Bush - Fast growing shrub or small tree to 20' with gray-blue foliage and yellow flwrs in spring. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Hardy to <15 F.  Acacia craspedocarpa Leather-leaf Acacia - Dense, rounded shrub to 8' tall x 5' wide with attractive flat seed pods. Full sun. Well drained soil. Little irrigation. Hardy to 15-20 F.  No longer in production Acacia cultriformis Knifeleaf Wattle - Evergreen small tree/ large bush to 10-15' tall x 10-15' wide. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.  Acacia denticulosa Sandpaper Wattle - Upright openshrub 6-12' tall w/ dark green rough lvs & spring-summer yellow flwrs. Full/part sun. Little H20. Hardy to 20F.  No longer in production Acacia glaucoptera Clay Wattle - Evergreen low growing shrub 3' h x 6-8' w w/ sickle shaped foliage. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.  No longer in production Acacia hubbardiana Yellow Prickly Moses - Evergreen small shrub to 4-6' tall. w/tiny triangular lvs & winter-spring cream flwrs. Full/part sun. Regular to little H20. Hardy to 25 F.  No longer in production Acacia iteaphylla Willow Wattle - Evergreen shrub to 10' by 13' w/pale yellow flwrs in spring. Drought tolerant. Coastal plantings. Full sun. Low water needs. Hardy 15-20 degrees F.  Acacia linifolia Flax Leafed Wattle - Upright shrub to 6-10' tall w/pendulous branches & pale cream flowers summer-fall. Plant in full coastal sun/shade. Regular irrigation. Hardy to 20F.  No longer in production Acacia longifolia Golden Wattle - Evergreen shrub 10-20' h x 10-20' w. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Sea coast tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.  Acacia melanoxylon Black Acacia - Large evergreen tree to 40' tall x 20' wide. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Creamy-yellow flower in winter-spring. Hardy to 15-20 degrees F  Acacia merinthophora Zigzag Wattle - Evergreen shrub reaching 9-12 feet tall with a weeping habit. Bright yellow flowers in winter/spring. Full sun. Low water. Hardy to 25-30 F.  Acacia pendula Weeping Myall - Small silver foliaged evergreen tree 25' tall x 15 wide . Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flower in spring. Hardy to 15-20 degrees F  No longer in production Acacia podalyriifolia Pearl Acacia - Evergreen small tree 20' tall x 15' wide w/ round gray leaves. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flwrs in winter-spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.  Acacia redolens 'Low Boy' Prostrate Acacia - Evergreen prostrate shrub 1-2' x 15' wide w/ gray-green foliage. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 15-20 degrees F  No longer in production Acacia rigens Nealie - Large upright shrub tio 15' tall w/blunt gray needle-like lvs & yellow flwrs. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Little H2O. Hardy to 18F.  Working on this plant but not yet available Acacia spectabilis Mudgee Wattle - Large shrub/ small tree w/feathery lvs & late winter yellow flwrs. Full sun/light shade. Occasional to infrequent H2O. Hardy to 18F.  No longer in production Acacia stenophylla Shoe-String Acacia - Evergreen tree to 30' tall by 20' wide w/unusual narrow gray foliage. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flwrs in spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F  Acacia vestita Hairy Wattle - Evergreen shrub/ small tree 12-15' tall x 12-15' wide. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow flowers in spring. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.

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