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Acacia cognata (River Wattle) - A quick-growing, small graceful evergreen tree or large shrub that can reach to 20' to 30' tall by an equal width but is usually seen on the small end of this range. It has nicely patterned bark with long wide darker gray longitudinal fissures against white and very narrow, drooping slightly resinous bright green 1-2 inch long leaves (phyllodes) on its weeping branches. The leaves can be red tinged in new growth or from frost but mature to a rich emerald green. Small pale-yellow flowers appear in pairs in spring from ball-like buds that form at the base of each phyllode at the branch tips.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-draining soil with regular to occasional irrigation – has proven relatively drought tolerant but appreciates some summer irrigation. Protect from salt-laden air along the coast and give high overhead shade part day inland. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.
The type locality for River Wattle is Twofold Bay near Eden in New South Wales Australia. Its range is from along the coast from Victoria north to the Nowra district of New South Wales. It was first described as a variety of Acacia subporosa (as variety linearis) and it is often still listed under this name as a cultivar of this species called "Emerald Cascade" - the specific epithet cognota references this close relationship between these two species as this is a Latin word meaning "related". 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. We have grown this tree at our nursery since 1982 and also grow the very popular dwarf form Acacia cognota Cousin Itt ['ACCOG01'].
This information about Acacia cognata displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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