ACACIA denticulosa

As the common name suggests the leaves are rough and actually feel like sandpaper. Flowering occurs late winter to early spring and produces a spectacular display of dense, curved, yellow flower spikes.

Endemic in small populations to the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie and the Swan Coastal Plain regions of Western Australia.

Suited to the hottest part of the garden. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate temperatures down to -7°C. Tip pruning will make the plant bushier.

Conservation Code: Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora - Extant) Threatened and categorised as rare in the wild.
Image kindly supplied by Tatiana Gerus (Tatters) CC BY-SA 2.0

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, 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.