ACACIA blakei

An ornamental shrub or spreading tree with green phyllodes (leaves) 5-17 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. Flowers occur profusely in the leaf axils in a spectacular display of yellow or cream cylindrical blooms 2-6 cm long from August to October. 

Adaptable to a range of soil including sand, gravelly loam, and clay. Drought tolerant.

Occurs naturally in Sothern Queensland and the North-Eastern region of New South Wales

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoiding 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 that 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 seed 3-4mm deep, 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.