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Acacia iteaphylla

Acacia iteaphylla
Willow Leaf Mimosa

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A compact, bushy and trailing mimosa, boasting a plentiful and pleasantly fragrant flowering from autumn to winter on fine silver-blue foliage. This bush is suitable for mild climates and ideal for small coastal gardens. With its small size, it is perfect for pot cultivation. Its hardiness is around -5 to -7°C (23 to 19.4°F). It can be grown in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil, and can tolerate summer drought.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -4°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to June
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Flowering time January to February, October to December
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Description

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.

Acacia iteaphylla in pictures

Acacia iteaphylla (Flowering) Flowering
Acacia iteaphylla (Foliage) Foliage
Acacia iteaphylla (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time January to February, October to December
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 1 cm
Fragrance Fragrant, vanilla, jasmine
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms
Flowering description Grouped in axillary racemes of clusters.
Fruit colour green

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Acacia

Species

iteaphylla

Family

Fabaceae

Other common names

Willow Leaf Mimosa

Origin

Australia

Product reference155951

Planting and care

Plant in spring, in March or April, in a sunny or semi-shaded position sheltered from strong winds. In very mild climates, plant in autumn. It dies below -7°C (19.4°F) if not well protected in winter: surround it with a thick winter cover as a precaution, and ventilate during the day if conditions are mild. A dry soil in autumn and winter slightly increases its resistance to cold. This bush is not demanding on the nature of the soil, which must however be sufficiently draining. Comfortable in acidic soils, it tolerates slightly chalky soils. As it withstands drought once established, watering is not necessary when grown in the open ground. Light pruning is recommended after flowering: shorten the branches that have flowered by about half their length. This operation prevents the formation of pods that unnecessarily exhaust the plant.

Mimosa, in general, is very sensitive to cold; as soon as temperatures approach 0°C (32°F), it is advisable to install a thick mulch at its base to protect the graft and roots, and to use a winter cover.

In the case of pot cultivation, repot in a large container every two years, in spring. Water regularly; the root ball should not dry out completely between two waterings. In cold regions, overwinter in a bright and cool but frost-free room.

The combination of heat and humidity can promote sudden and unexplained wilting of a mimosa that seemed perfectly healthy: in this case, the culprits are either Cylindrocladium, a microscopic fungus that attacks the collar of the plant, which turns black, or Phytophthora, which penetrates through the roots and causes the plant to die within a few days. Mimosas grafted onto Acacia retinodes are highly adapted to summer drought and poor, chalky soils, and do not tolerate constantly moist soil, especially in hot weather.

The other enemies of this mimosa are psyllid (false aphid), frothy-banded cicada (Metcalfa pruinosa), and cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi). To limit their development, spray nettle manure or diluted black soap at 5%. A treatment with white oils is also effective. Also, perform a daily thorough inspection of the branches, accompanied by manual removal of the scales (if you have the courage). Alternatively, release Australian ladybirds (Rodolia cardinalis), which are highly effective against cottony cushion scale.

Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to June

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -4°C (USDA zone 9b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained.

Care

Pruning instructions After flowering, shorten the branches that have bloomed, by about half of their length. This operation helps prevent the formation of pods that unnecessarily exhaust the plant. Remove the branches that have been affected by the cold and to rebalance the habit of the bush.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs protection

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