Acacia baileyana

Acacia Baileyana Purpurea or Cootamundra Wattle is a fast growing, evergreen small tree with an eventual height of 5 metres, or large shrub with spectacular deep purple flushed, young fern-like foliage on purplish red stems contrasting with the blue-green older leaves. Racemes of bright yellow mimosa- like flowers are freely produced during March, highly attractive to the bee population and greatly prized by the local honey producers.

It produces very beautiful ferny like leaves which when young are a deep purple colour fading to silver grey as they mature. During late winter masses of fluffy bright yellow flowers are produced which have a strong sweet  like fragrance. Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ makes a medium sized busy shrub and can easily be pruned to shape. The only downside is that it requires a warm spot in the garden and although tolerant of frosts needs to be in a milder location. But because it is fast growing and relatively inexpensive we thoroughly recommend trying this plant. It can also happily be grown in a container and brought into a cool glasshouse or conservatory for the winter. Indeed it makes a brilliant year round conservatory plant filling the air with it’s amazing fragance in late winter.



Botanical Name    Cootamundra wattle

Common Name     Acacia Baileyana or Bailey Acacia tree 

Plant Type               Perennial

Flower Color          Bright yellow, small, and rounded

Size When MatureUp to 20 ft tall and wide

Bloom Time             Late winter to early spring

Sun RequirementsFull Sun

Soil Type                    Well-draining, moist, neutral to acidic

Water Needs             Medium