Acacia baileyana Purpurea

Acacia baileyana Purpurea is a beautifully coloured form of Bailey's Wattle, an Australian species relatively unknown among gardeners despite its exceptional ornamental qualities and ease of cultivation in any well-drained soil. It is a large evergreen bush with long flexible branches adorned with finely cut blue-grey foliage and young shoots tinged with icy lilac purple. Its clusters of small golden yellow pompom flowers are not very abundant, but in winter they create a striking contrast with the foliage. The bush is tender, but it adapts to poor and limestone soils, tolerates drought perfectly and does not sucker. Whether in the ground or in a pot, this mimosa adds depth and intensity.

Mimosas should not be confused with the tree we call acacia, which belongs to the botanical genus Robinia. They belong to the fabaceae family, just like alfalfa and lupins. The Acacia baileyana is a shrub native to Tasmania and Australia, specifically the southern part of New South Wales. The 'Purpurea' form distinguishes itself with its young purple foliage and less abundant flowering. The Acacia baileyana is most often grafted onto Acacia rootstock (the four seasons mimosa) which has the advantage of not suckering and allows for cultivation in limestone and very dry soils. 'Purpurea' has a flexible, rounded habit, with long, slightly drooping branches.

It reaches about 4m (13.22 ft) in all directions at maturity. Its growth is fast, an individual planted in the ground for 2 years can exceed 2m (6.56 ft) in height in a warm climate. Its lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. The bark is coloured in the same blue-grey tone as the adult foliage. The floral buds are not very numerous in this variety and appear on the branches from the month of August. Flowering takes place from January to March depending on the climate and weather conditions, lasting about 3 weeks. Its small round flowers are bright yellow, gathered in clusters in the axils of the leaves located towards the ends of the branches.

Their scent is quite light, more noticeable during the hottest hours of the day. Its foliage is made up of small finely cut leaves with tiny leaflets initially coloured purple and gradually turning grey-blue. The bush itself can withstand short frosts of around -8/-10°C (17.6 - 14°F), but the rootstock, which is less hardy, perishes below -5°C (23°F) if not protected. Its drought resistance in summer is excellent, however. Since the root system is quite shallow, it is advisable to plant this mimosa in a sheltered location away from strong winds.

Purple Bailey's Mimosa can be planted in the ground in a mild climate and placed as a focal point sheltered from strong winds, or in a shrub border. It can be associated with other cold-sensitive shrubs with an exotic appearance, such as Caesalpinia gilliesii, Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda), Sesbania punicea, escallonias, or even with Garrya elliptica James Roff with its long silver catkins and Coleonema pulchrum with its pink florets, both of which bloom in winter, at the same time as this mimosa. It can be cultivated in a pot if protected from winter frosts in a greenhouse or a minimally heated conservatory.