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Acacia longifolia (Golden Wattle) - A fast-growing bushy evergreen shrub or small tree to 20 feet tall by as wide with 5 to 7 inch long light green leaves (phyllodes) that have prominent parallel veins. The fragrant golden yellow flowers in 1- to 2-inch-long cylindrical clusters appear in winter to early spring along the end of branches.
Plant in full sun and irrigate occasionally to infrequently – this is a drought tolerant plant in coastal gardens, and it is also salt tolerant, so a useful for seaside conditions. It is cold hardy to 20 degrees F.
Golden Wattle is useful as a screen or windbreak; often seen as freeway plantings but this plant should not be planted adjacent to natural areas, particularly near riparian or dune areas as there is potential for this plant to invade these areas. This plant was originally collected along the South-eastern coast of Australia by Joseph Banks, the botanist on the James Cook's exploration of Australia in 1770 and was offered by nurseries in England as early as 1788. It was introduced into cultivation in California by William Walker at his Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco in 1860. It has naturalized outside its native habitat in numerous locations in the world, becoming invasive in other parts of Australia (Victoria, New South Wales), in New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and on disturbed sites in California. 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 and the specific epithet refers to the long phyllodes. Other common names include Long-leaved Wattle and Coast Wattle.
The information displayed on this page about Acacia longifolia is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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