the mimosa caven
The Acacia caven or Chilean mimosa, is a mimosa of 4 to 5 meters high. It can lose all or part of its foliage in winter and reveal its small white spines, which are also very decorative.
During June/July, the mimosa caven blooms with numerous yellow-orange glomerules, which are very fragrant.
The mimosa caven comes from Chile. It is one of the most cold-resistant mimosas. It can grow up to 1000m of altitude, hence its ability to resist to the cold (up to -10 / -12°C).
If the temperatures go down lower (-15°C), with the installation of a good protection (a veil of wintering for example), it is quite possible to see it starting again at the level of the foot.
The mimosa caven, contrary to most mimosas, accepts calcareous soils; it does not need to be grafted to evolve on this type of ground.
When the mimosa caven is grown in a pot, its size doubles or even triples every year.
Count 3 to 4 years of cultivation to obtain a shrub of 2,50 meters high.
The Acacia covenyi
The Acacia covenyi, native to Australia (New South Wales), is splendid with its silver-gray foliage, almost metallic when the drought sets in. In February/March, the bright yellow flowers bloom, grouped in very small glomerules. The contrast created by the yellow flowers on the silver foliage is very interesting.
Its foliage being evergreen, this mimosa remains aesthetic all year long.
Because it is grafted, Acacia covenyi does not suckle, as wild mimosas do, and is therefore not invasive. Its size remains reasonable (3 to 4 meters high maximum) and its ability to withstand pruning allows it to form a dense ball of reduced size.
Resistant to temperatures close to - 10°C, it is also one of the most cold-resistant mimosas.
Its growth, in full sun, is fast and its culture can be done in pot.
Minimum sunlight required: 4 hours per day.
Acacia dealbata pendula
Acacia dealbata pendula, the weeping winter mimosa, is an evergreen mimosa which reminds, by its foliage, the traditional winter mimosa known to all amateur gardeners, with the difference that the latter has a weeping habit.
Acacia dealbata pendula is a perfect mimosa for small gardens. Of modest size (2 meters high maximum, for 1,50 meter wide), its weeping form gives it a good resistance to the wind (contrary to the erect forms which offer a good grip to the wind). Of average growth, it adapts perfectly to the culture in pot.
In February/March, it produces a cascade of flowers.
The only maintenance that this mimosa will require is to prune the tips of its branches from time to time, to avoid them dragging on the ground.
Generally grafted on a stem to obtain a "weeping willow" shape, it is possible to obtain a ground covering shape. For this, the grafting is done at the foot of the tree, in order to obtain a creeping shrub, which can cover up to 5 m2 of surface.
The weeping winter mimosa is native to Australia (New South Wales); its hardiness is between - 8 and - 10 °C. It is therefore also one of the most cold-resistant mimosa. The sign that characterizes them: a compound bi-pinnate leaf, like that of the traditional winter mimosas.
