Acacia pravissima

Acacia pravissima is an unjustly overlooked mimosa, far too rare in cultivation considering its many qualities, hardiness being not the least. While its famous cousins Acacia dealbata (florist's mimosa) and A. retinodes (the four seasons mimosa) suffer at -7°C (19.4°F), or even -4°C (24.8°F) for the latter, A. pravissima can withstand -10°C (14°F) in sheltered positions and in healthy soil. This small tree thrives in any well-drained soil, perfectly tolerates summer drought, and adapts well to container gardening. In the garden, this enchanting mimosa captivates with its gracefully trailing habit and fragrant bright lemon-yellow flowering in March-April.

Mimosas should not be confused with the tree we call acacia. They belong to the Fabaceae family, just like alfalfa and lupins. Acacia pravissima is native to Australia, specifically New South Wales and Victoria.

Acacia pravissima has a rounded, gracefully weeping habit, carried by long angular and wrinkled branches that hang down, ranging in colour from green to purple. It reaches a height of about 5m (16ft) (sometimes up to 7m (23ft)) with a nearly equivalent spread under our climates. Its growth is fast; an individual planted in the ground for 2 years can already exceed 2m (7ft) in height in a Mediterranean climate. Its lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. Numerous flower buds appear from the end of summer. The flowering itself generally takes place in March-April, depending on the climate and weather conditions, and lasts about 3 weeks. Just before blooming, the buds turn red. They open into small round flowers that are clusters of bright lemon-yellow stamens gathered in axils of the leaves located towards the ends of the branches. Their fragrance is most noticeable during the hottest hours of the day.

Its evergreen foliage consists of small leaves called phyllodes, with a triangular shape and a pointed tip, which is almost spiny. They are more or less imbricate on the branches and display a soft green to green-blue colour. The young coppery shoots contrast beautifully with the bright lemon-yellow of the flowering.

When planted in the ground in mild climates, Acacia pravissima can be used as a specimen plant sheltered from strong winds, or as part of a mass shrub planting. In favourable climates, it is often used to create a superb green screen, alone or in the company of olearias, for example. It can be combined with other frost-tender shrubs with an exotic appearance, such as Caesalpinia gilliesii, Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Flamboyant), Sesbania punicea, escallonias, or Grevillea. To accompany its early spring flowering, it can be combined with Prunus triloba, Japanese quinces, or Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'. It can be grown in containers, protecting it from winter frosts in a minimally heated greenhouse or conservatory.