A low, spreading Australian acacia that covers large areas in dense, gray-green foliage. It grows quickly, handles full sun and reflected heat on little water, and carries small, fragrant yellow puffball flowers in late winter.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub, groundcover and succulent schedule in our Landscape Care guide while it establishes. Once settled, deep, infrequent watering is all it needs and keeps growth tight.
Pruning
Remove upright shoots as they appear to keep the mat low. Trim the spreading edges back from walks and curbs as needed.
Spacing
One plant can cover 6 to 10 feet across. Planted too close, it piles up into mounds and needs more trimming to stay in bounds.
How our designers use it
Covering large areas
A few plants fill a broad space with low, even green, which makes it useful for big side yards and street frontage.
Slopes and erosion control
It covers banks quickly and helps hold soil in place.
Under desert trees
Its low habit works beneath mesquites and palo verdes, with agaves and red yucca rising through it as accents.
Good to know
Around the pool
No thorns and low litter. The edges need regular trimming to stay off a pool deck, and the flowers draw bees in late winter.
Get the low form
Some forms of this acacia grow 4–5′ tall or more. Ask for the prostrate ‘Desert Carpet’ selection.
