Image 1 of 10
© No machine-readable author provided. Dlanglois assumed (based on copyright claims)., some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
1 / 10
Acacia fimbriata
brisbane wattle
Overview
Acacia fimbriata is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree of the wattle group, native to eastern Australia. It grows 6-20 feet (2-6 m) tall and 6-13 feet (2-4 m) wide, with arching branches and a rounded, often weeping outline. In place of true leaves it bears narrow, soft, bright green phyllodes 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, edged with a thin fringe of hairs that gives the species its name. From late winter into spring it is covered in small, round, golden-yellow flower heads packed into dense sprays, carrying a sweet scent. Flat, slightly curved seed pods follow over summer. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and grows on poor soils, often as a quick coloniser of disturbed and cleared ground. It tolerates drought and light frost once established but is short-lived, typically lasting ten to twenty years. The fast, soft growth can be broken by strong wind, and self-sown seedlings may appear around established plants.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in Queensland and New South Wales, where it grows in open forest, woodland, and on rocky slopes, often along creeks and on disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Acacia fimbriata is used as a fast screen, windbreak filler, and street or park tree in mild climates, and in revegetation where quick cover is wanted. Its scented spring flowers suit native and informal gardens, and the flowers draw bees while the seeds feed birds. A weeping form is also grown in smaller gardens and containers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 13'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Acacia fimbriata grows in full sun to light shade in free-draining soils and tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly ground through its nitrogen-fixing roots. Once established it needs little water and copes with drought and light frost. Heavy, wet soils and high-phosphorus fertilisers can shorten its life. Its soft, fast growth is brittle, so a position sheltered from strong wind reduces breakage. It is easily raised from seed treated with hot water to break dormancy. Because it is short-lived, plants are replaced every ten to twenty years.Pruning
A light trim after flowering keeps the shrub dense and can shape young plants into a small tree or a screen. Hard pruning into old, bare wood is risky, as wattles may not reshoot. Spent flower sprays and pods can be removed to reduce self-seeding.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons