Acacia pycnantha aka Australian Golden Wattle

Acacia pycnantha, known as golden wattle or green wattle, belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It comes from southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria and southeastern South Australia. It grows in thickets and beneath eucalyptus trees. These sites can have very poor soil. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This evergreen shrub or tree keeps its leaves throughout the year. In cultivation, it grows fast and reaches about 26 feet (8 metres). Its life in gardens can be short. The bark contains high levels of tannin and has commercial uses. The plant also fixes nitrogen. Its wide root system helps hold loose soil in place. Growers plant it on sandy banks to reduce erosion.

Plants For A Future lists flowering from March to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. The flowers provide a yellow dye, while the seed pods yield green dye. Cooked flowers are edible and can go into fritters. The plant also yields an oily gum reported to be edible. These food uses do not establish that every plant part is safe. The same source reports no known hazards or medicinal uses.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. It prefers a poor sandy loam but can grow in other good garden soils. Mildly acid to neutral soil suits it best. Avoid soil with too much lime. It accepts both dry and moist ground. Hot, sunny summers help the wood mature and support good flowering. In Britain, a sheltered coastal garden offers a suitable setting. Protect it from wind and choose a warm, sunny site. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10, but warns of limited hardiness in Britain.

Seed and cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Sow fresh seed when ripe in a warm, sunny greenhouse. Stored seed needs scarification and a 12-hour soak in warm water. At 25°C, germination takes about three to four weeks. Grow seedlings in separate pots once they are large enough. Keep them in a sunny greenhouse through their first winter. Plant outside after the last expected frost, in late spring or early summer. Consider cold protection during their first winter outdoors.