|
Acacia redolens 'Low Boy' (Prostrate Acacia) - A low-growing evergreen shrub to 1 to 2 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide with dense habit and much branched with stems covered with narrow 2 to 4 inch long gray-green leaves (phyllodes). Small vanilla scented yellow flowers appear in spring but are not very showy.
Plant in full sun to light shade. Tolerant of very dry conditions and requires no irrigation once established in coastal gardens and infrequent watering in hot inland areas and grows well in moderately alkaline soils and windy coastal situations. Hardy to 15 to 20 degrees F.
This cutting grown selection was introduced by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in 1984 under a trademarked name but is more widely found in the trade as 'Low Boy'. It is lower than the species and can be used as a low groundcover if widely space so the plants don't build up against each other. A great groundcover, especially on slopes but it is commonly spaced too closely and will require shearing to keep low in these situations if a low groundcover is sought. Acacia redolens is considered fairly short lived but can look good for 15 to 20 years so is longer lived than some other commonly used groundcover plants. This species is native to inland areas of southern Western Australia. 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 Latin word 'redolent' meaning "to give off a scent" for the fragrance of the flowers.
Information displayed on this page about Acacia redolens 'Low Boy' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
|