Acacia Howittii 'Green Wave'
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Dwarf Sticky Wattle
Botanical Name: Acacia howittii 'Green Wave'
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Gippsland, Victoria (Australia)
Plant Type: Evergreen compact shrub
Overview
Acacia howittii ‘Green Wave’ forms a dense, low mound with fine, pendulous bright-green foliage, creating soft texture year-round. In spring it carries pale yellow pom-pom flowers that attract insects, but foliage is the main feature. Tough and low-maintenance, it’s ideal for low borders, mass planting, banks/retaining walls and containers in SA’s temperate/Mediterranean gardens.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.5–1 m H × 1–2 m W
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Fine, pendulous bright-green foliage with a soft, ferny look
- Flowers: Pale yellow balls in spring (light display); lightly-fragrant
- Seasonal Interest: Fresh lime-green look year-round; spring bloom
- Wildlife Value: Spring nectar/pollen for insects
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat, light–moderate frost, wind, coastal (sheltered/2nd-line); needs free-draining soil (avoid waterlogging)
- Planting Density: Low hedge/edging 3/m (60–80 cm centres); mass/border 60–100 cm
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs; as with any plant, eating seed pods, bark or large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset—discourage chewing.
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam; not suited to boggy sites
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rarely in winter — only if dry
- Maintenance: Naturally tidy; light trim after flowering if shaping is needed; mulch in spring
- Lifespan: 10-20 years in free-draining conditions
- Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA; second-line coastal OK
- Soil pH: Neutral (tolerates slight alkalinity)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Low borders and edging
- Mass plant for a neat, textural ground-level effect
- Underplanting and banks/retaining walls (cascades)
- Feature in pots/containers
Why You Will Love It
A compact native with soft, flowing texture and minimal fuss — perfect for modern low plantings and small spaces.