Acacia baileyana Songlines

The Acacia baileyana Songlines is a form of Mimosa that resembles 'Purpurea', but has foliage with more blue and grey tones. It is a large evergreen bush or small tree with long flexible branches adorned with finely cut foliage and young shoots gently tinged with silver and violet. Its clusters of small yellow pom-pom flowers appear in late winter, forming an interesting contrast with the foliage tones. The bush is tender, but it adapts to poor soils, tolerates drought perfectly and does not sucker. Whether in the ground or in a pot, this mimosa adds depth and intensity to even the most modest decor.

Mimosas should not be confused with the tree we call acacia, which belongs to the botanical genus Robinia. They belong to the fabaceae family, just like alfalfa and lupins. Acacia baileyana is a shrub native to Tasmania and Australia, specifically the southern part of New South Wales. Acacia baileyana is sometimes grafted onto Acacia retinodes (the four seasons mimosa), which has the advantage of not suckering and allows for cultivation in very dry limestone soils. 'Songlines' has a flexible, rounded habit, carried by long, slightly drooping branches.

The Songlines cultivar reaches about 5-6m (16 in 5 ft - 19 in 8 ft) in height and 3-4m (9 in 10 ft - 13 in 1 ft) in spread at maturity. Its growth is rapid, with an individual planted in the ground for 2 years already reaching over 2m (6 in 7 ft) in height in a Mediterranean climate. Its lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. The bark is coloured the same blue-grey tone as the adult foliage. The floral buds appear from August on the branches. Flowering occurs from January to March depending on the climate and weather conditions, and lasts about 3 weeks. Its small round flowers are bright yellow and gathered in clusters in the axils of the leaves located towards the ends of the branches. Their scent is light, more noticeable during the hottest hours of the day. Its foliage consists of small finely cut leaves with tiny leaflets initially coloured violet, gradually turning grey-blue and then grey-green. The bush itself is able to withstand short frosts of around -8°C (17.6°F). When grafted, the less hardy rootstock perishes below -5°C (23°F) if not protected. Its drought resistance in summer is excellent.

When planted in the ground in mild climates, Mimosa Songlines can be placed as a standalone specimen sheltered from strong winds, or in a shrub border. It can be associated with other tender shrubs with an exotic appearance, such as Caesalpinia gilliesii, Sesbania punicea, escallonias, or even Callistemons. It can be cultivated in a large container if protected from winter frosts in a greenhouse or a minimally heated conservatory.