Of all the shrubs in the garden, my favorite is Acacia aphylla. This oddball from Western Australia lacks traditional leaves (hence the common name “leafless rock wattle”). Instead, its zigzaggy blue-green stems perform photosynthesis. These stems, which give the plant its striking sculptural appearance, are adapted to reduce water loss in the dry, arid conditions where it naturally grows – not so different from here.
From a distance, Acacia aphylla looks like a bluish cloud hovering over the sidewalk bed. In late winter, mid- to late-February, it’s covered with bright yellow ball-shaped flowers. This is what it looked like this year:
The red-flowering shrub behind it is Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’, thought to be a hybrid of Grevillea rosmarinifolia and another unknown grevillea:
I like the two together, but both were getting too large for this spot – or any spot in our small garden. This is what Acacia aphylla looked like yesterday morning:
With curbside yard-waste pickup coming up tomorrow, this was a good time to give both shrubs a good haircut. With my electric pruning shears (a tool I couldn’t image being with), it didn’t take very long:
I texted the photo above to my friend Troy McGregor, owner of Gondwana Flora Design Build Landscaping and Waltzing Matilija Nursery. An Aussie himself, Troy is an expert in Australian and South African plants. He suggested that I go harder and cut the branches down to within 1 ft. above ground. Apparently Acacia aphylla can take such a hard pruning and will come roaring back with beautiful new stems. I didn’t quite go to 1 ft., but it’s close:
I must admit, seeing this spot so bare will take some getting used to.
The trimmings from Acacia aphylla, Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ and a few other plants made two fairly large piles:
I won’t lie, seeing my beloved Acacia aphylla lying there in the curb made me doubt my decision, if only for a moment. Then I remembered watching this video of Australian plantsman Attila Kapitany cutting back his Acacia aphylla just as hard. As he says in the video, “This is a wattle that likes to be brutalized to get the best out of it.”
I’m still a bit nervous, but I simply have to believe in what the experts say. Look for an update next spring!
I like that Acacia very much and have never seen it here in the Phoenix area. I wonder if it is around and I've missed it. I enjoyed that video. He is excellent!
I don't see why Acacia aphylla wouldn't grow in Phoenix. Other acacias do, right? Australian Outback Plants in Tonopah has a bunch of acacias in their availability list.
That Acacia is one fantastic plant, Gerhard! I hope it lives up to its reputation and comes back better than ever. I get a similar case of nerves every time I cut some plants back hard but, so far, I've never been disappointed in the long run. Your post is also a good reminder that I need to cut back my own prickly 'Scarlet Sprite' Grevilleas soon as they're already starting to flower.
I've been looking at the sad sight every day, irrationally hoping to see new growth.
My Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' was seriously out of control. The Aloe marlothii next to it must be so happy, now that it actually gets to bask in the sun.
What a cool shrub! It occurs to me that if you were crafty, pieces of it would make a very cool and unique wreath or arrangement, assuming it's not toxic or too prickly?
I watched the video: it's astonishing how resilient Acacia aphylla is in the face of such brutal treatment. (I'd be tempted to find use for those blue branches, maybe a wreath: they are so fabulous!). Chavli
OMG! You are a brave man. It will be interesting to see how fast yours bounces back. Now for that pile at the curb, so many great things! I see vases full, and wreaths....
That goes beyond a haircut, that's a decapitation! All dramatics aside, it is amazing what some plants can bounce back from. I have a few shrubs that I do the same thing to here to manage their size. Everyone else was seeing wreaths and art, I was seeing cuttings. Acacias don't always root the best, but I would be over there asking for a few branches if I lived down there. Did it ever set seed?
I like that Acacia very much and have never seen it here in the Phoenix area. I wonder if it is around and I've missed it. I enjoyed that video. He is excellent!
ReplyDeleteI don't see why Acacia aphylla wouldn't grow in Phoenix. Other acacias do, right? Australian Outback Plants in Tonopah has a bunch of acacias in their availability list.
DeleteYes, most Acacias do well here. I just have never seen this one.
DeleteWhat a striking shrub--both close-up and from a distance. I would be nervous, too, but it sounds like that is what's called for in this season.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, pruning always makes me nervous!
DeleteThat Acacia is one fantastic plant, Gerhard! I hope it lives up to its reputation and comes back better than ever. I get a similar case of nerves every time I cut some plants back hard but, so far, I've never been disappointed in the long run. Your post is also a good reminder that I need to cut back my own prickly 'Scarlet Sprite' Grevilleas soon as they're already starting to flower.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking at the sad sight every day, irrationally hoping to see new growth.
DeleteMy Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' was seriously out of control. The Aloe marlothii next to it must be so happy, now that it actually gets to bask in the sun.
What a cool shrub! It occurs to me that if you were crafty, pieces of it would make a very cool and unique wreath or arrangement, assuming it's not toxic or too prickly?
ReplyDeleteNot toxic. A bit prickly, but not too bad. Except I wouldn't know where to begin...
Deletebefriend a florist and trade? Get Francoise Weeks book?
DeleteI watched the video: it's astonishing how resilient Acacia aphylla is in the face of such brutal treatment.
ReplyDelete(I'd be tempted to find use for those blue branches, maybe a wreath: they are so fabulous!).
Chavli
A lot of cool stuff could be made with those blue branches...if only I had any talent for that sort of thing.
DeleteOMG! You are a brave man. It will be interesting to see how fast yours bounces back. Now for that pile at the curb, so many great things! I see vases full, and wreaths....
ReplyDeleteI wish I had an ounce of crafting talent!
DeleteScarlet Sprite sure is prickly, and the prickles will stick in my hands if I don't wear gloves around it. The hummers like it, though.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful Acacia. That silvery blue-green color--a favorite. Fortunate you had an expert like Troy to consult on how to cut it back.
What would he say about Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream', do you think? I'd like to chop mine back but would like to not kill it .
'Scarlet Sprite' *is* prickly. Looking at it from a distance, the foliage looks so soft.
Delete'Peaches and Cream' has a lignotuber. That means it can be cut back hard.
That goes beyond a haircut, that's a decapitation! All dramatics aside, it is amazing what some plants can bounce back from. I have a few shrubs that I do the same thing to here to manage their size. Everyone else was seeing wreaths and art, I was seeing cuttings. Acacias don't always root the best, but I would be over there asking for a few branches if I lived down there. Did it ever set seed?
ReplyDeleteI just cut back my cotinus even harder than the acacia. I lose the flowers and smoke effect, but I prefer all-new clean foliage in the spring.
DeleteMy Acacia aphylla sets (or used to set) a lot of seeds. I don't know how easy it is to propagate from cuttings, but it's easy from seed (apparently).