Acacia jennerae (Coonavittra Wattle)
Foliage: Evergreen
Mature Height: 15’ - 18’
Mature Width: 8’ - 12’
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness: 15 degrees F
Exposure: Full Sun
Leaf Color: Gray Green
Shade: Filtered
Flower Color: Golden Yellow
Flower Shape: Ball (in racemes)
Flower Season: Winter and Spring
Thorns: None
Propagation Method: Seed
Sizes Available: Not in production
Acacia jennerae, Coonavittra Wattle, is an Australian import that takes its name from the town of Coonavittra in New South Wales, Australia where it grows native along creek banks and salt lakes. It is a medium stature, evergreen and matures into an upright, generally columnar, thornless tree with slightly weeping leaves and a lacy canopy. It shares branch structure qualities, canopy structural and leaf texture characteristics with Acacia salicina. Acacia jennerae has vertically ascending branches, with drooping tips, giving it a vase-shaped, upright, narrow profile. With rigid, upturned leaves the canopy is compact yet lacy giving the tree a lush texture that provides scattered shade. Yellow to gold ball-shaped flowers, in 3-to-8 flower clusters, are produced from November to February and sometimes in response to summer irrigations. The contrast between the reddish branches and stems with the pale green leaves make this a striking, medium stature, evergreen tree. It is used as an accent, theme and patio tree, in parking medians, streetscapes, and any setting where an evergreen, flowering trees is needed. Pods have a zig-zag appearance, gray-brown to tan and about 4" to 7" long. Trees can reach a mature height of 20' with a width of about 12'.
The contrast between the reddish branches and stems with the pale green-gray leaves make this a striking, medium stature, evergreen tree. It is used as an accent, theme and patio tree, in parking medians, streetscapes, and any setting where an evergreen, flowering trees is needed. Their stature and upright growth make them ideal for patios, entry courts, narrow side yards or as a perimeter screen planting. It can be mixed with deciduous trees and shrubs to soften the barren appearance of landscapes in winter and the blooming habit adds much needed color to the desert winter. In field tests conducted in Tucson, AZ, trees tolerated 15 degrees F without damage and have demonstrated vigorous growth under desert conditions.
The information provided here was gathered from research literature published by the University of Arizona, other professional landscape and horticulture organizations and our experience at Arid Zone Trees. Always consult local landscape experts for recommendations for your specific area.