Acacia boormanii

Acacia boormanii is commonly called the Snowy River Wattle, as it is commonly found near this river which runs through a mountainous region in southeastern Australia. In its natural habitat, it forms a large bush that produces suckers, recognisable by its transparent vegetation. The plant blooms abundantly in February, with its foliage disappearing under a mass of light lemon-yellow globose flowers. Cultivated on its own roots, this river wattle prefers neutral to acidic soils, tolerates salt spray and moderate periods of drought. Outside of mild climates, you can grow it in a large container to overwinter indoors in a bright, frost-free room.

Mimosas should not be confused with the tree we call acacia. They belong to the Fabaceae family, just like alfalfa and lupins. Acacia boormanii is native to southeastern Australia, specifically New South Wales. It is a relatively fast-growing tree, depending on growing conditions. Its lifespan is about 12 years, and it reaches a height of about 3m (10ft) in our climates. This bushy species produces multiple stems from its stump, as well as suckers: the plant forms true thickets in its native lands. When grown as a single trunk or grafted onto Acacia retinodes, the crown will measure 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in width. Acacia boormanii has good cold resistance down to -8°C (17.6°F) in well-drained soil, according to sources. It prefers well-drained soils but tolerates clay in mild climates.

The Snowy River Wattle has a rounded, airy habit. Its smooth bark is grey to brown, and the young branches are green. Numerous flower buds appear in late summer. The flowering itself usually takes place in February-March, depending on the climate and weather conditions, and lasts about 3 weeks. The flower buds open into small round flowers that are clusters of lemon-yellow stamens, grouped in ramified clusters in the axil of each leaf. They have no fragrance. The fruit is an elongated, pendulous pod that turns brown when ripe.

Its evergreen foliage in winter consists of entire and thin leaves called phyllodes, which are linear in shape, alternate, and 3 to 8 cm (1 to 3in) long and 2 to 4 mm (1in) wide. The green-grey-blue lamina is covered with a silvery fuzz that becomes brighter when it is hot and dry.

When planted in the ground, the Snowy River Wattle can be used as a standalone specimen, in hedges or as part of a shrub border. In favourable climates, it can create a superb vegetal screen on its own or in the company of escallonias or large callistemons, for example. It also pairs well with other exotic shrubs such as Caesalpinia gilliesii, evergreen ceanothus, or Grevillea, for example. To accompany its early flowering, it can be paired with Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' or an Eryostemon. It can be grown in pots, protecting it from winter frosts in a minimally heated greenhouse or conservatory.