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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.

Other common names
red-stem wattle
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
Botanical 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

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale and mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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