ACACIA pycnantha - Golden Wattle

This medium shrub to the small tree makes an excellent garden plant guaranteed to produce a stunning display of blooms when in flower.

An attractive medium-sized shrub with a smooth bark stem that forms a stately habit. Flowers prolifically from spring, summer, and autumn with masses of large deep golden yellow in clusters. Phyllodes (leaves) are bright green and sickle-shaped around 15 cm long.

Occurring in New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.

Prefers shallow sandy soils in an open sunny position. Drought and frost tolerant but protect from frost whilst young.

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, and re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow the depth of the 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.