Acacia rigens (Nealie) A fast growing large upright evergreen shrub to 9 to 15 feet tall by 5 to 9 feet wide with nearly vertical stems holding the 1 1/2 to 3 inch long rigid gray narrow rounded leaves (terete phyllodes) that are like blunt needles. In later winter into spring appear the bright yellow quarter inch wide flowerheads with 20 to 30 tiny flowers that are held in groups up to four in the leaf axils.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained light to heavy and even alkaline soils and irrigate occasionally to infrequently - a drought tolerant plant once established and cold hardy down to around 18° F. An attractive and unusual plant that is beautiful in flower and easy to grow. It can be used for a windbreak or light screen and can also grow well as a container plant for several years.
Acacia rigens grows throughout much of Australia from southern Western Australia through South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The name for the genus 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 is from the Latin word meaning "stiff", "rigid" or "unbending" and thought to be a reference to the rigidity of the phyllodes. Other common names include Needle Wattle and Needlebush Acacia. We thank Jo O'Connell of Australian Native Plant Nursery for introducing us to this wonderful plant and for the picture of it in flower.
The information about Acacia rigens 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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