Acacia dealbata, the winter mimosa tree

Acacia dealbata, commonly known under the name winter mimosa tree, decorates our gardens with superb golden yellow blooms from January to March, depending on the climate.

Key Acacia dealbata facts

Name – Acacia dealbata
Family – Mimosaceae
Type – tree

Height – 13 to 32 feet (4 to 10 meters)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – well drained and sandy

Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – January to March

Planting Acacia dealbata

Acacia dealbata is planted indifferently in spring or fall in a sunny spot and, ideally, sheltered from wind. Note also to that Acacia dealbata tolerates slightly windy spots.

The acacia dealbata tree thus likes rather sun-endowed emplacements and especially well-drained soil.

• Acacia dealbata is only suited to the Mediterranean area or along the Atlantic coastline.
• You’ll have to avoid heavy clay soil.
• In chalky soil, select a grafted acacia dealbata tree for which the root stock will be better suited to that particular soil type.
• Follow our guidance on how to plant your Acacia dealbata shrub.
• Propagate your A. dealbata tree through cuttings in summer.

If you choose to grow your acacia dealbata in a pot for a deck, balcony or terrace, its fragrance will spread in the entire vicinity as soon as the first flowers open.

Actually, in regions with harsh winters, it’s better to plant Acacia dealbata in pots or large containers so that you may bring the shrub indoors over winter.

Acacia dealbata in winter

The Acacia dealbata tree can resist freezing, if moderate. 23°F (-5°C) is the coldest temperature it can survive, especially when bouts of freezing only last a short while.

A potted mimosa tree isn’t as hardy to the cold, so bring it indoors for shelter in a cool spot over the winter if it freezes in your area.

• You can also put horticultural fleece to good use, wrapping it around the branches at the onset of the first frost spells. This will be very effective in protecting the mimosa tree from freezing.
• Also protect the base with a good layer of dried leaf mulch.

When growing directly in the ground and if the weather freezes deeply in your area, protect your tree by implementing our advice on protecting plants against the cold.

Pruning and caring for Acacia dealbata

Pruning of your A. dealbata takes place after the blooming because if you cut the tree in winter, you won’t have a single flower.

• Lightly cut back branches that have born flowers.
• As soon as they appear, pinch off suckers that shoot out at ground level, because these will weaken the rest of the tree.

If, at the end of winter, you notice broken and blackened branches because of freezing, feel free to cut them off because they, too, would weaken the tree.

Watering acacia dealbata

Acacia dealbata isn’t a tree that requires much watering, except if potted.

It hates excess moisture which has a tendency to rot roots, eventually killing the tree.

Watering acacia dealbata planted in the ground

You must water in case of prolonged dry spells, but otherwise stocks of water contained in the tree itself should answer the acacia dealbata tree’s needs.

Watering acacia dealbata planted in pots

Mimosa trees grown in pots demand regular watering which should be moderate in quantity over winter and provided only when it isn’t freezing.

In summer, and in case of hot weather, water in the evening to avoid having the water evaporate immediately.

All there is to know about the acacia dealbata

Acacia Acacia dealbata is famous for its superb golden yellow blooming that decorates gardens and decks at the heart of winter or at the beginning of spring.

Its foliage is evergreen and its blooming has a fresh, appealing smell.

The middle of winter is when this tree drapes itself in full color, and releases its distinctive odor throughout the neighborhood.

You can highlight Acacia dealbata’s perks on your terrace or deck if you plant it in a large garden box and water it as soon as the soil turns dry.

Acacia dealbata was introduced in Southern France in 1820 and over 1200 mimosa tree species have been numbered throughout the world.

Note that there is a certain confusion in terms: the tree that is commonly called Mimosa tree is actually an Acacia, whereas the tree that is commonly called acacia is really the locust tree.