Other Names:  Desert Acacia, Broad Leaved Mulga

Description:

A large shrub or small multi-trunked tree with a dense, upright to rounded habit; alternately arranged, bluish-green or gray green oval leaves with silver overtones; yellow catkins appear from spring to fall; very drought tolerant once established

Ornamental Features

Leatherleaf Acacia features showy yellow catkins along the branches from early spring to mid fall. It has attractive bluish-green-variegated grayish green foliage with hints of silver which emerges light green in spring. The oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy green pods which fade to brown over time, which are displayed from mid summer to early winter. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. The rough gray bark and coppery-bronze branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Leatherleaf Acacia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Leatherleaf Acacia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Leatherleaf Acacia will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America..