Swamp Wattle - Acacia retinodes - Care Guide
Acacia retinodes! Often referred to as Swamp Wattle, this evergreen shrub is native to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. A common plant, you'll find it growing on low ranges and hills. It grows vibrant yellow flowers throughout the year.
Swamp Wattle seeds have a chocolaty, coffee-like flavour. You can enjoy them raw on their own, or ground down to use as an incredible ingredient in all kinds of sweet and savoury recipes such as cakes, bread, damper, shortbread and more.
Swamp Wattle will have flowers periodically throughout the year. However you can expect this spectacular native to blossom with bright yellow flowers from Spring through Summer.
Quick Care
| Botanical Name | Acacia retinodes |
| Frost Tolerance: | Light frost. |
| Drought Tolerance: | Drought Tolerant. |
| Soil Type: | light sandy and medium loamy well drained soils |
| Sun: | Full-sun |
| Size: | 6m shrub |
| Pots: | Does well in pots. |
| Feeding: | Feed a high-quality native plant food every 6 months. |
Planting
For best results, plant your Swamp Wattle in light sandy and medium loamy, well-drained (it can also survive in poorer soils) and place your plant in full sun. This dense shrub can attain a height of up to 6m. It's the perfect shrub for hedging or screening or ground cover.
Frost tolerance
Swamp Wattle is only able to handle light frost. If you live in a cooler climate like Melbourne keeping your plant well protected is super important, so we recommend offering it extra protection during winter.
Sunlight
This lovely species does well in full sun.
Maintenance
Watering & Drought Tolerance
A hardy species, Swamp Wattle will require little watering during the wintertime, but as the temperature increases ensure that you're keeping your reasonably well watered. When dry, it will wilt which is a good indication of when to water.
Fertilising your Swamp Wattle
Being a hardy species, Swamp Wattle will require little fertilising. We recommend feeding your plant every Spring with a dose of cow manure or organic fertiliser if you don’t have great soil.
Harvesting
Harvesting should be done when the seed pods have turned a dark brown colour.
Growing Swamp Wattle in pots
Swamp Wattle can do well n pots, however, you'll want to ensure you're using a pots four times the size of its previous pot
Use a high-quality potting mix without fillers or additives and add your own plant food for the highest success.