In habit of tree the Acacias 
show a great diversity and 
they lend themselves to very 
different effects as landscape 
material. The leaf “texture,” 
also differing considerably, 
affords a sort of classifica- 
tion in this respect. A. 
decurrens dealbata (top 
left) feather leaved type is 
one of the earliest to bloom 
and is very floriferous. The 
simple and narrow leaved 
type (top right) is repre- 
sented by the open habited 
A. neriifolia, of gardens, a 
continuous bloomer. A. 
armata (centre) with 
shapely pointed leaves and 
gracefully arched branches 
is one of the most orna- 
mental of this varied group 
ACACIA ACCESSIONS FROM AUSTRALIA 
A. M. WOODMAN 
State Experiment Station, Berkeley, Cal. 
A Remarkable Group of Flowering Trees 
the Pacific Coast and in the Greenhouses 
C I'^ERHAPS it is necessary to see the Acacia in its native 
f \* \ habitat to fully appreciate its unusual color, but prob- 
kyji'Aa ably no other tree in California, with the possible ex- 
; • 1 ception of the Red-flowering Eucalyptus, is so striking 
in appearance as a mature Acacia in full bloom. 
The Acacia, existing in its thousand forms in Australia, has 
been domiciled so long in California that it is considered by many 
as native to the state. In reality but two insignificant species 
are found in the desert regions of California. Some other spe- 
cies are found in the southern part of North America, but all 
those worth growing in gardens come from Australia. These 
ornamental species have discovered very congenial soil and 
climatic conditions in California, and apparently feel quite at 
home. 
As a group the Acacias are conspicuous chiefly on account of 
their peculiar fluffy inflorescence, which varies in color from a 
pale to a lemon yellow, and occasionally to orange; the inflor- 
escence usually consists of a loose or compact globular head, 
or of a cylindrical spike of pollen-laden balls. 
Some of the Acacias are peculiarly useful in garden plantings 
as settings for other plants because of the unobtrusive greens of 
Equally at Home in American Gardens on 
of the East as a Favorite for Cut Flowers 
their foliage, especially A. longifolia, A. neriifolia, and the so- 
called A. fforibunda with its arching branches and “leaves” that 
are continually fluttering in the breeze. 
Dark-foliaged Acacias like A. armata and A. verticillata, form 
splendid backgrounds for low growing shrubs, or for flowers of 
brilliant hue. The forms with heavy foliage and the feather 
type of Acacia had best be planted by themselves. 
Of late years it has been the practice to cover bare hillsides 
with plantings of Acacia, which is to be commended, pro- 
vided forms with yellowish-green foliage are not used. 1 have 
in mind one large country estate practically ruined by such a 
planting. 
Acacias will thrive in regions of poor soils where many other 
types of trees and shrubs would perish; though some of the 
more delicately foliaged forms require fairly good soil and an 
abundant supply of moisture. The very fact that the Acacia 
adapts itself so readily to the climatic and soil conditions of 
California makes a particularly judicious use of it necessary. 
Most Acacias are rather aggressive feeders and many people ob- 
ject to them on this ground; however, if planted a convenient 
distance from the shrubs in the foreground they are not so objec- 
200 
