Return to the Australian Native Plants Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Which wattle?
| | |
Posted by femmeradsy Newcastle NSW (My Page) on Mon, Aug 15, 05 at 6:16
| Hi folks. I'm a keen gardener taking my first steps into planting natives. I've decided to turn over my whole back yard to native plants. I'm looking for some advice on wattles. I'd like to find a species suitable for my area (Newcastle NSW) which grows to about 3m or 4m, has a dense habit suitable for planting a few together as a screen, and gives a good flower show. So far I've read about the Snowy River Wattle and the Hairy Wattle as possibilities. Can anyone comment on these ones, or give me alternative suggestions? Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
Snowy River wattle will need to have the spent flowers removed each year otherwise it will get tall and leggy. I think it will sucker up from the base but still needs a bit of work.
A. vestita gets wide and will need an occasional prune and weeps so might form a trunk if you don't keep it bushy. I don't think it will resprout from old wood. Nice shrub though as is A. boormannii. |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
| A. fimbriata is fast-growing, very dense right down to the ground, and makes a fine display of blossom. Its height is usually in the 3 to 5 m range. Not so interesting in foliage as species like A. vestita or A. cultriformis, but larger an more vigorous. |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
Hi Have a look at the Link below it may help you with your choice.
Good Luck with your new garden..Cheers...MM |
Here is a link that might be useful: Flora for Fauna
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
- Posted by roysta Gosford NSW (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 18, 05 at 11:49
I'm not far from you, at Gosford, and planted an Acacia Longifolia a few months ago.
Let me tell you, it's very fast growing.
Why not try a few of those a metre or 2 apart. Good luck
Roy |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
| I like the zig zag wattle (macradenia) - may be worth investigating for your area. Will grow into a reasonable sized tree in one season. Weeping in habit. Can get borer and as with most wattles, can be short lived - plant them by all means but don't rely on them to be there forever. One of mine fell down. Another has lost a couple of branches on very windy days, so is now a 1/2 wattle. Fantastic display - flowers are large and smell luverly! |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
- Posted by Snodge Outer Sydney (My Page) on
Mon, Aug 22, 05 at 6:43
Yes, I love Acacia macradenia too. I bought mine from Mt Annan Botanic Garden when theirs was in flower. SPECTACULAR! Lovely smothers in bloom and as mentioned, wonderful fragrance.
I had an acacia longifolia and agree it grows like a rocket. Mine was VERY short lived though. Full size and dead within about 5 years. Cost a fair bit to have removed.
Another nice fragrant one is acacia podalyrifolia, very grey in effect, and acacia baileyana is always reliable, but I think both podalyrifolia and baileyana have been mentioned as prone to becoming a weed.
Perhaps you could consider trying acacia pycnantha. Spectacular when doing well. It might suit your area, and it is the national floral emblem so that's a bonus! |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
| Okay, so now I want to grow ALL OF THEM! Thanks for all your suggestions. I have some digging to do now! |
RE: Which wattle?
| | |
| zig zag wattle is prickly if that concerns you. |
|
|
|
|
