Jacksonia spp.

Australia (centred on southwest Western Australia)

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Jacksonia spp. is a genus of about fifty species of shrubs and small trees in the pea family, Fabaceae, endemic to Australia. Many species are leafless or nearly so as adults, carrying out photosynthesis in flattened, winged, or rush-like green stems, and a number are stiff and spiny. Plants range across the genus from low shrubs to small trees roughly 2 to 13 feet (0.6 to 4 m) tall. From spring into summer they carry small pea flowers in yellow, orange, and reddish tones, often with darker markings, borne singly or in short spikes along the stems and sometimes lightly scented. Like other legumes, Jacksonia spp. fixes nitrogen through root nodules, which lets it grow on the nutrient-poor sandy soils of its native heath and woodland. The genus is centred on the southwest of Western Australia, with further species in eastern and northern Australia. Most species are frost-tender and short-lived in cultivation, and the leafless spiny habit gives a sparse, twiggy look that suits some gardens more than others.

Native Range

Jacksonia spp. is endemic to Australia, with the greatest number of species in the southwest of Western Australia and others in eastern and northern Australia. The shrubs grow in heath, scrub, and open woodland on sandy, nutrient-poor soils.

Suggested Uses

Jacksonia spp. is used in native, water-wise, and habitat gardens in mild dry climates, and in revegetation of sandy heath and disturbed bushland. The flowers add spring colour and support native pollinators, and the spiny species provide shelter for small birds. The wiry leafless forms suit naturalistic and low-water plantings.

How to Identify

Many plants are leafless or nearly leafless shrubs with flattened, winged, or rush-like green stems that do the work of leaves, and several species end in stiff spines. Small yellow, orange, or reddish pea flowers, often with darker centres, appear along the stems in spring and summer. The green leafless photosynthetic stems with small pea flowers, on a wiry Australian shrub, separate Jacksonia spp. from broom and from Daviesia spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 13'

Width/Spread2' - 10'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, roughly September to December in the native range. The small pea flowers are yellow to orange and red, often marked with darker tones, and some are lightly scented. Native bees and other insects visit the flowers for pollen and nectar.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, orange, and red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Jacksonia spp. grows in full sun in sandy, gravelly, sharply drained soils that are low in nutrients, reflecting its heath origins. As a nitrogen-fixing legume it needs no added fertiliser and is sensitive to phosphorus, which can damage the roots. Most species are frost-tender, suited to roughly USDA zones 9 to 10 and dry Mediterranean-type climates. Plants are drought-tolerant once established and cope with dry, exposed sites, while they are short-lived on wet or heavy soils. Propagation is by seed, which germinates more readily after heat or smoke treatment that mimics fire, or by cuttings of firm young growth.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps the shrubs dense and shapely. Cutting into old bare stems is left undone, as the plants reshoot slowly from hard wood. Removing dead or damaged stems can be done at any time.