Acacia melanoxylon
Australian blackwood
A graceful evergreen tree possibly reaching 12m. Its 'leaves' are leathery grey-green and variable in shape. Some are ferny in shape with a slender stem, some have a saml leaf where the stem is flattened, but generally they are just the leaf stem alone, flattend into a 'leaf' longer than they are wide with a slight curve. In spring, the flowers are clouds of small, fluffy white to pale yellow flowers which may develop into 10cm brown, twisted-ribbon seed pods. The bark is grey with dark fissures
Synonyms
Acacia arcuataBuy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Cream White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | Brown | ||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Acacia can be deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs or climbers, with alternate, pinnately divided leaves or simple modified leaf-like stalks (phyllodes), and tiny, sometimes fragrant, flowers in short spikes, or in racemes or spikes of spherical heads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in neutral to acid well-drained soil in sheltered location with full sun. Suits courtyard and urban gardens in milder locations, but will need winter protection elsewhere. Under glass, grow in ericaceous or loam-based compost (peat-free JI No.2) in full light. Resents hard pruning. For more advice see tree cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or seed. For advice see propagation from seed (tree/shrub
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
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