Other Names:  True Mulga, Mulga Wattle

Description:

A large, graceful shrub or small tree with a wide spreading canopy; densely arranged, narrow, silver gray foliage has an airy, lacy quality, contrasting the reddish-brown branches; yellow catkins appear nearly year-round; drought tolerant once established

Ornamental Features

Mulga features showy yellow catkins along the branches from early spring to mid fall. It has attractive grayish green foliage with hints of silver. The narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy tan pods displayed from mid summer to early winter. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Mulga is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Mulga is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Mulga will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America..