Acacia iteaphylla

Acacia iteaphylla, also known as Willow Leaf Mimosa, is an Australian species that is still not widely cultivated. It is interesting for its small size, its low soil requirements, and its abundant and fragrant light lemon-yellow flowering, which can last from autumn to winter, depending on the region. Not very hardy but perfectly drought-resistant, this dense and bushy plant is an excellent candidate for screening or filling out a hedge in a coastal garden. In colder 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 iteaphylla is native to Australia. It adapts to poor, shallow soils, even limestone, and also tolerates slightly clayey soils if they are not waterlogged. The hardiness of a mature specimen is estimated at -8°C (17.6°F) at its lowest point in dry soil. It can tolerate sea spray, but in a second line of defence.

This Willow Leaf Mimosa has a dense, bushy, somewhat untidy habit, with slightly pendulous branches. It reaches a height of about 3m (10ft) with a spread of 2.5 to 3m (8 to 10ft). Its growth is fast. The bark is smooth, ranging from brownish to reddish. The flowering period extends from October to February in mild climates, but it may be shorter or longer elsewhere. It appears on young plants aged 3 to 4 years. The flowers are generous clusters called racemes, born in the axils of the leaves. They are composed of numerous small pompom-like inflorescences called globose heads, pale lemon-yellow in colour, with vanilla and jasmine scents. The flower bud is protected by thin brown scales. After pollination, flattened pods of a glaucous colour form, containing several small seeds.

Its evergreen foliage consists of small narrow leaves called phyllodes, which are ovate-lanceolate or even linear in shape, measuring 5 to 14cm (2 to 6in) in length and 0.4 to 0.8cm (1in) in width. They are leathery and have a greenish-blue colour that becomes more silvery in summer due to heat and drought.

When planted in the ground, Acacia iteaphylla can be used as a hedge or in a shrub border. In favourable climates, it is often used to create an elegant green screen, either alone or in the company of Grevillea or oleanders, for example. It can be planted with other tender shrubs with an exotic appearance, such as Caesalpinia gilliesii, Sesbania punicea, escallonias, or Callistemons. To accompany its autumn to winter flowering, it can be paired with Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' and Miscanthus 'Purple Fall', which are stunning late-season plants. It adapts well to potted cultivation, as long as it is protected from winter frosts in a minimally heated greenhouse or conservatory.