ACACIA baileyana "purpurea"

The new fine feathery foliage of this attractive Acacia is a dramatic lavender to purple shade that turns blue grey with age. Masses of fragrant golden yellow flower clusters occur in late winter.

Widely used as a garden feature or shade tree, when in full bloom it is a spectacular sight with the flowers covering the whole tree. Fast growing short trunk and arching branches. Tolerates frost and drought.

Easily grown in most temperate areas and suited to a range of soils provided it is reasonably free draining. Flowers best in full sun, frost and drought tolerant.

Although seed can be sown most of the year in Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

Acacia seeds germinate readily, however they do have a hard outer coating which is impervious to water and generally germination will normally not occur unless the seed is scarified by abrading or pre-treated with boiling water first.

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow the depth of seed keep warm & moist but not wet.
4. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 18-22C.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.

Australian National Botanical Garden

Australian Native Plant Society - Acacia Propagation