Share The Seeds
Gardening Area => Growing questions and answers => Topic started by: gnosis on February 27, 2014, 01:34:42 PM
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I have been trying to search out if there are any acacias that would survive a 6A zone.
My research skills are somewhat in the basement cause I haven't found nada. Can
someone give me a hand. :)
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I'm sure others with cold climate Acacia experience will chime in but for starters you could look into the following species: A. acuminata, A. burkittii (sub-species of acuminata), A. phlebophylla, and A. floribunda. Those should all be good down to about 10 degrees Celsius.
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To add to what Isaak stated:
Acacia alpina
Acacia mucronata
alpina and phlebophylla are incredibly difficult to find.
Burkittii is probably your best bet.
HCC
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Plus phlebophylla is a very difficult species to grow. I know of only two or three people in the states who have been successful with it.
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Acacia acuminata and obtusifolia are the only two I know that can survive in my zone (7b), so I'm sure they would grow in your area as well. I'm actually still researching this for myself, so I don't have a complete list yet, but these two will grow for sure.
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Acacia acuminata and obtusifolia are the only two I know that can survive in my zone (7b), so I'm sure they would grow in your area as well. I'm actually still researching this for myself, so I don't have a complete list yet, but these two will grow for sure.
I live in zone 7b and have had every single Acacia acuminata die outdoors in the same season, 2 years ago [like 6 plants; each about 3 feet tall].
IDK if they'd have better survival here if they were like 10 feet tall, they might. nen888 says Acacia acuminata sub. Burkittii would have a better survival rate here; I'm interested in others as well.
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Obviously Desmanthus Illinoensis has been previously classified as Acacia Brachyloba and performs well in zone 7b and I've had a Anadenanthera Peregrina(indoors) sprout during the snow but only lasted a week. Made me think of an Amazonian submarine telescope popping it's head up to see what's happening up here temporarily and I have read many places it can sometimes withstand below freezing temperatures so don't lose faith in Acacia Niopo.
Acacia Pravissima, Acacia Melanoxylon, Acacia Retinodes, Acacia Dealbata, Acacia Decurrens, Acacia Longifolia, Acacia Baileyana and sometimes Acacia Convenyi can do well here(Zone 7b) if kept indoors for the first 1-2 years and/or protected(wrapped) in the winter. The wind is usually what kills these acacias. One could also cut the tree back to the stump to ensure a sturdier/thicker base that would shoot back up in warm weather. Also has anyone found Mimosa Hostilis(A. Tenuiflora) to withstand northern winters? There are many other windowsill Acacias that bloom early and will do fine if kept indoors and not exposed to cold drafts.
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Acacia acuminata and obtusifolia are the only two I know that can survive in my zone (7b), so I'm sure they would grow in your area as well. I'm actually still researching this for myself, so I don't have a complete list yet, but these two will grow for sure.
I live in zone 7b and have had every single Acacia acuminata die outdoors in the same season, 2 years ago [like 6 plants; each about 3 feet tall].
IDK if they'd have better survival here if they were like 10 feet tall, they might. nen888 says Acacia acuminata sub. Burkittii would have a better survival rate here; I'm interested in others as well.
This is good to know, thanks for that. Nen knows a lot about acacias, so I'll take that into account.
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old thread but wanted to mention if anyone stumbles on it that a horticulturalist who's been working at a university for many years warned me acuminata likely wouldn't survive winter in my zone 9b of central texas. I have doubts they'd fare better in colder zones though ymmv.
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Acuminata Narrow phyllode will do fine zone 7b and up just make sure to keep it in a greenhouse the first 2 winters of its life and get something to wrap the trees in during frost after that if you notice any dying foliage. Frost cloth is available many places and is suitable for small to juvenile plants.
Over the years I've been able to test Acacia trees out in various climates and since I posted on here last, climate change has rapidly accelerated.
The 3 combined factors that make these trees struggle are Wet/Cold/Wind. Usually they are able to make it through each element by themselves but the combination of windy rainy cold spells for extended durations will cause problems for the health of the plant. There are ways around this. Staking the plants up, wrapping the plants, over wintering in a greenhouse, inside by a window or bringing them indoors during snow will buy them more time and increase longevity.
Sometimes they will die back to the ground and resprout in spring. It's important not to baby them too much, they're more resilient than one might imagine. This has just been my subjective experience growing them in Zone 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a.
The top Acacias that can withstand temperatures down to 15F or lower are:
Acacia Baileyana
Acacia Boormanii
Acacia Covenyi
Acacia Dealbata
Acacia Decurrens
Acacia Implexa
Acacia Melanoxylon
Acacia Mucronata
Acacia Pravissima
Acacia Rubida
Acacia Saligna
Additionally these may perform well but I have not gotten to fully test them:
Acacia Acinacea
Acacia Alpina
Acacia Angustissima
Acacia Burkittii
Acacia Cardiophylla
Acacia Constricta
Acacia Farnesiana
Acacia Fimbriata
Acacia Hemiteles
Acacia Kybeanensis
Acacia Longifolia
Acacia Mabellae
Acacia Obliquinervia
Acacia Pataczeckii
Acacia Phlebophylla
Acacia Riceana
Acacia Rigens
Acacia Terminalis
Acacia Verniciflua
Acacia Vestita
Acacia Xanthophloea(if protected from the rain)
Many can grow and thrive far outside their natural range but life expectancy may be greatly reduced or you'll end up with some super strong trees.
(picture is Acacia Mucronata in Zone 7b West Coast,US currently growing wonderfully through November nights in the 20s*farenheit* and did fine down to 15F with snow etc the previous seasons.) edit: idk why the picture became sideways after uploading but here it is
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A. Floribunda is rumoured to be very cold hardy as well and has attributes of interest .
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Acacia Pravissima & Acacia Dealbata
Acacia Dealbata is a great selection for growers in colder climates that receive heavy rainfall or occasional snow. Sometimes will die back and sprout from the base in spring.
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All the below are frost hardy and 'interesting'
some of these it would be preferable to source seed from higher altitude populations as lower coastal forms have been known to struggle in the cold. I have attached a * next to said species and I am working to hopefully get some seed from these populations to share ..
some candidates also seem to have more desireable varieties (melanoxyn, implexa, longifolia for example) of which haven't neccesarily been narrowed down yet. When these nuances are better understood hopefully we will see more selective seed being spread far and wide. But still will be fun to grow regardless!
Acacia Floribunda
Acacia Obliquinerva
Acacia Alpina
Acacia Dellachiana
Acacia Implexa
Acacia Phlebophylla
Acacia Melanoxylon
Acacia Oxycedrus (hybridizes with floribunda.. there is a cultivar started in NSW called abundance which I am trying to find more info on.. seems like it would be a great candidate)
Acacia Mucronata (has a few subspecies)
Acacia Caroleae
Acacia Obtusifolia *
Acacia Longifolia *
Acacia Acuminata
Acacia Burkitti
Acacia Excelsa
Acacia Baileyena
Acacia Decurrens
Acacia Mearnsii
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All the below are frost hardy and 'interesting'
some of these it would be preferable to source seed from higher altitude populations as lower coastal forms have been known to struggle in the cold. I have attached a * next to said species and I am working to hopefully get some seed from these populations to share ..
some candidates also seem to have more desireable varieties (melanoxyn, implexa, longifolia for example) of which haven't neccesarily been narrowed down yet. When these nuances are better understood hopefully we will see more 'good' seed being spread far and wide. But still will be fun to grow regardless! The one I can't help but keep coming back to for meeting enthnobotanists needs is A. Floribunda.. it grows fast. It tolerates the cold, it looks beautiful and it has a very healthy content (right strain needed though)
Acacia Floribunda
Acacia Obliquinerva
Acacia Alpina
Acacia Dellachiana
Acacia Implexa
Acacia Phlebophylla
Acacia Melanoxylon
Acacia Oxycedrus (hybridizes with floribunda.. there is a cultivar started in NSW called abundance which I am trying to find more info on.. seems like it would be a great candidate)
Acacia Mucronata (has a few subspecies)
Acacia Caroleae
Acacia Obtusifolia *
Acacia Longifolia *
Acacia Acuminata
Acacia Burkitti
Acacia Excelsa
Acacia Baileyena
Acacia Decurrens
Acacia Mearnsii
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All the below are frost hardy and 'interesting'
some of these it would be preferable to source seed from higher altitude populations as lower coastal forms have been known to struggle in the cold. I have attached a * next to said species and I am working to hopefully get some seed from these populations to share ..
some candidates also seem to have more desireable varieties (melanoxyn, implexa, longifolia for example) of which haven't neccesarily been narrowed down yet. When these nuances are better understood hopefully we will see more selected seed being spread far and wide. But still will be fun to grow regardless!
Acacia Floribunda
Acacia Obliquinerva
Acacia Alpina
Acacia Dellachiana
Acacia Implexa
Acacia Phlebophylla
Acacia Melanoxylon
Acacia Oxycedrus (hybridizes with floribunda.. there is a cultivar started in NSW called abundance which I am trying to find more info on.. seems like it would be a great candidate)
Acacia Mucronata (has a few subspecies)
Acacia Caroleae
Acacia Obtusifolia *
Acacia Longifolia *
Acacia Acuminata
Acacia Burkitti
Acacia Excelsa
Acacia Baileyena
Acacia Decurrens
Acacia Mearnsii
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sorry! i meant to edit my post.. not quote myself twice
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Not all zones are similar, even when they have the same number.
A place that has a few nights a year that get below freezing can have the same official zone as a place that has those same freezing temps for 60+ days in a row each year.
Just because a plant is rated to a certain zone of hardiness does not mean it will actually survive in all areas in the zone.
I'm in zone 7 and there isn't any chance that an Acacia will survive outside here year round.
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There's lots of different species and many are able to survive in extended periods of snow and freezing temperatures.
Species native to mainland Southeast Australia to Tasmania and that have naturalized in New Zealand have a good chance of growing for years in temperate climates. They can handle the cold but the big killer is usually strong winds toppling mature specimens or dripping cold rain weakening foliage on young plants.
The species that can withstand this the best are A. Boormanii, A. Dealbata, A. Decurrens, A. Mucronata, A. Pravissima, A. Rubida and occasionally A. Baileyana, A. Implexa, A. Melanoxylon and A. Spectabilis. Care and time must be invested to ensure they're able to grow in colder climates, it is very possible. Soil, planting location, and source of seeds is very important. Overwintering them in a greenhouse or indoors for a couple years will extend their lifespan greatly. Many are frost-tender when young but frost-hardy after they've developed a woody base and will resprout if they die back. There's a few other species which are less popular in cultivation such as A. Cardiophylla, A. Covenyi, A. Decora, A. Mabellae, A. Montana, A. Riceana, A. Schinoides, A. Terminalis, A. Tysonii, A. Verticillata and a few others which may handle the cold, rain, snow, freezing, some flooding etc. A. Acuminata Narrow Phyllode can handle the elements but also can be a slow-grower and is best to be overwintered in a greenhouse for a few years before planting outside. Surprisingly some thorn-Acacias such as A. Abyssinica, A. Caffra and A. Caven(Cavenia) may handle extended freezing periods, strong winds and some flooding. Most of the time you have to plant lots of seeds and a percentage of them will die but many may survive. Mulching under the canopy will also help preserve the trees and keep them alive much longer. Using frost cloth to cover young plants in the ground on freezing nights is also crucial for cultivating new species that haven't been tested in the region.
It is definitely worth a shot even down to Zone 6 for some species. Obtaining a small greenhouse is an excellent way to give your temperate grown wattles a better chance at living a long life.
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I've been wanting to try some of the Tasmanian species from colder areas.