Acacia dealbata

mimosa

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, neutral to acidic soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: January to April
• Flower colour: fluffy yellow balls
• Other features: beautiful conservatory tree if lightly trimmed after flowering has finished
• Hardiness: half hardy - will need protection in winter
  
  Fluffy yellow, sweetly scented ball-shaped flowers cover the ends of the branches from winter to spring. An evergreen tree with a pale green trunk and large, feathery glaucous leaves. It makes an ideal conservatory plant or in warmer gardens, can be planted in a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall. It will never reach the magnitude of those in its native Australia but it can grow to 12m (40ft) in 20 years, so it does need plenty of room in the garden.
  
  
• Garden care: Lightly prune after flowering has finished, cutting back shoots that spoil the shape of the tree. In the garden, incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost into the planting hole and stake firmly. To grow in a pot, plant in a loam-based potting compost and keep in a sunny spot.