Acacia rubida
red-stemmed wattle
A small evergreen tree or shrub from 1.5 to 6m tall. It has long narrow 'leaves' on distinctly red-brown stems. In spring, there are many small, yellow flowers, held in straight candle-shapes of up to 10cm long.
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Brown | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Brown | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Red Brown | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter | Red Brown | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Bushy
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in neutral or slightly acid or alkaline, well-drained soil in a sheltered location with full sun. Suits courtyard and urban gardens in milder locations, but will need winter protection elsewhere. Under glass, grow in peat-free, ericaceous or loam-based compost in full light. Resents hard pruning. For more advice see tree cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid-summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.