Acacia dealbata Gaulois Astier Tree (12L, 5-6ft)

Bring a burst of colour into your garden in late winter! Just when you have had enough of dull and boring and cannot wait for spring, Acacia dealbata bursts forth with a vibrant bright display of small, golden yellow fluffy spheres of flowers in January that will perk you up in a jiffy. The flowers have a wonderful fragrance, attracting bees, birds and butterflies, bringing sound and movement into a sleeping garden.

The Mimosa or Silver Wattle offers all-year round interest, keeping its deep glaucous blue-green and silvery-green foliage. The leaves have a pinnate shape with feathery leaflets, creating a wonderful backdrop for the yellow flowers.

Acacia dealbata has a wide spreading habit and will grow into a squat and wide tree with widely spaced branches and a pale green trunk. The tree has its heritage in south eastern Australia and is half hardy. It may require some protection in winter if it is planted in exposed sites. It prefers free draining soil and will not do well in chalky soil. The ideal position for planting would be in a sheltered space against a south facing wall where it will get maximum protection. It also makes a great conservatory plant if you have enough room.

This tree has a host of commercial uses. The essence is known as cassie or opopanax and is used in the manufacture of fragrances. In Italy and Russia the cut flowers are offered to women as a gift on International Women’s Day. In India, the leaves are used in the making of Chutney.