ACACIA howittii

An attractive graceful large shrub or small tree that forms a dense, weeping habit reaching a height of 5-8 m that displays bright yellow flowers that occur during August to September in its natural range.
Responds well to hard pruning growing back up to 2 metres in 1 year. Can be used as a hedging plant or is an excellent variety in landscaping.

Endemic to a small portion of the southern Gippsland hills, between Yarram and Tarra Valley in Victoria.

Full sun to part shade but will flower more profusely in full sun. Suited to most soils that are well drained. Frost hardy; will tolerate frosts to -7 C.

Victoria Conservation code: VU - Vulnerable in Victoria: not presently endangered but likely to become so soon due to continued depletion; occurring mainly on sites likely to experience changes in land use which would threaten the survival of the plant in the wild; or, taxa whose total population is so small that the likelihood of recovery from disturbance, including localised natural events such as drought, fire or landslip, is doubtful.

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 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 4mm deep and 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.