Lovely bubbly
Revel in the truly intoxicating glory of acacias... and their fabulously frothy flowers
IF YOU are lucky enough to receive a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers in the next few months, the chances are it will contain a few sprigs of mimosa. Laden with masses of sweetly scented, tiny yellow pompom like flowers, these bushy, bubbly shoots are guaranteed to add a splash of sunshine to lift the winter gloom.
The sprays of frothy flowers are from a tree known as Acacia dealbata, a native of Australia that was introduced to Europe in 1820. Most of the bunches sold in our florists, from January until early spring, tend to be transported from plantations in Italy and the South of France.
In fact, there’s an 80-mile drive on the French Riviera known as the Route du Mimosa, running from Bormes- les- Mimosa to Grasse, capital of the French perfume industry – and the scent of mimosa has featured in the fragrances of many fashion houses, including Yves Saint Laurent and Kenzo.
Despite its association with warmer climes, Acacia dealbata is much tougher than you might think. It is capable of surviving temperatures of -7C, and can probably cope with worse for short periods. Even if a tree is unlucky enough to be hit hard by frost, it will respond with lots of fresh stems from the ground. For my money, this stunning evergreen with glaucous, fern-like foliage is best in mild, city gardens or coastal locations in the South and West. In a hot, sunny and sheltered position that is rarely troubled by frosts, you can plant it outside and expect it to reach 15ft or more.
In Australia, Acacia dealbata and a host of closely related species are known as wattles, due to the flexibility of the wood that was used by colonial settlers to construct wattle and daub buildings. The green leaves and yellow flowers of wattles also provided the inspiration for the country’s national sporting colours. Like many plants indigenous to Australia, acacias were important to aboriginal people. Seeds were gathered for grinding into flour, while musical instruments, tools and weapons, including boomerangs, were made from its timber.
There are close to 50 different acacias available in the UK, ranging in height from 6ft to 25ft. All have flowers in a shade of yellow but foliage varies dramatically, from fine, feathery leaves to triangular, oval or lance-shaped structures known as phyllodes.
Some acacias are tender so-andsos that are only likely to survive in conservatories or heated greenhouses in the UK. Others will take a fair amount of frost, but during l ong periods of sub- zero temperatures, protect by wrapping branches with horticultural fleece.
Those in colder parts can raise acacias in large pots, using a 50:50 mixture of John Innes No 3 and ericaceous compost. Water them regularly during the growing season and feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Give them a sunny spot on the patio and move undercover when temperatures dip.
Acacias don’t respond well to hard pruning, so trim lightly after they’ve flowered, taking off any branches that spoils their shape.
IT HAS A DEADLY SIDE – IT’S USED TO MAKE BOOMERANGS