Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'

Description: The finely divided fern like leaves open deep purple in spring which contrast beautifully with the mass of yellow fluffy ball like flowers in March which are quite stunning. Makes a graceful small tree or large shrub for a sheltered location as it is a tender plant.

Uses: A sheltered courtyard garden or against a protected sunny wall. Good as a coastal plant.

Climate / Position: Sheltered site in full sun.

Height / Spread: 6 metres x 5 metres.

Soil Requirements: Well drained acid - neutral soil. Very drought tolerant.

Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering. Prune branches that spoil the overall shape early in the year.

Special Requirements: Plant in a sheltered site for young plants. Frost hardiness increases with age.

Additional Interest:  The common name wattle derives from early Australian settlers who would use the abundant branches for wattle and daub. 

The species baileyana was first described by Mr F.M. Bailey in 1888 when as a pioneer of work on the flora of Queensland, he collected a specimen from Bowen park in Brisbane and sent it to the veteran German-Australian botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller.