Family Fabaceae
Originating from S Australia
- A fast-growing evergreen tree that forms a broad crown of slender foliage.
- A profuse floral display of pale yellow-scented flowers is produced in early spring.
- Easy to grow in coastal and mild gardens, it can be pruned to form any shape.
Forming a lush yet open and airy crown of leaves, the Blackwood creates a large canopy—upright at first, then wide-spreading. Its young bark is highly distinctive, with a smooth silvery texture and raised ridges, accompanied by vigorous silver new shoots bearing feather-shaped juvenile leaves. As the tree matures, it develops deeply rutted rough grey/brown bark and adult leaves of long elliptical shape with distinctive veins running the length of each one. This fast-growing tree is renowned for its timber, extensively used for high-quality specialist furniture since European settlement.
In spring, it produces masses of inflorescences bearing clear, pale lemon-yellow flowers adored by pollinators. The individual flowers consist of a globe-shaped mass of almost translucent stamens, giving them a puffball appearance. Their scent is somewhat more subtle than other acacias but can be detected wafting some distance from the plant on warm spring evenings. They are followed by twisted tan-colored papery seed pods.
This adaptable and easily grown tree can be pruned to achieve any desired shape, including hedging, where its coastal exposure tolerance is advantageous. It can even be shaped similar to an olive, forming a thick, characterful trunk with a regularly trimmed crown. Pruning should occur in spring, immediately after flowering, and may encourage the production of both feathery juvenile foliage alongside the adult leaves, adding further interest. However, prepare for its vigorous regrowth, which surpasses that of an olive.
Easy to cultivate in all but alkaline or heavy wet soil, thriving in full sun, and especially suitable for coastal gardens.
Approximate height and spread after 10 years 5m x 4m
