Family Fabaceae

Originating from S.Australia and Tasmania

The swamp wattle has a graceful willow-like appearance with its slender, pendulously held leaves and soft slightly drooping branching habit. Its leaves are known as phyllodes (a botanical term used to describe a leaf stem or petiole that has evolved to serve as a leaf) and have a silver/green colour and a rounded end to their elongated oval shape. Unlike other Acacias, it flowers throughout the season and the many small round flowers have a lemon yellow colour.

In the wild, this large shrub or small tree can be found growing in poorly drained, boggy soil. In gardens, it will tolerate these conditions but grow better in sandy well-drained soil. If left to grow naturally it can form a wide-spreading shrubby plant and even develop suckers, however with some pruning or support it will readily take the form of a small tree. This is an invaluable plant for coastal gardens, growing well in salt-laden winds, it is as happy in a chalky alkaline soil as it is in a neutral sandy one.

Height and spread after 10 years if not pruned 5 x 4m.