River Wattle Lime Magik

River Wattle 'Lime Magik' (Acacia cognata 'Lime Magik') is a dwarf weeping wattle grown for foliage rather than flower. It builds a soft mound about 1.5m tall and wide, covered in fine lime green needles that move in the slightest breeze, then carries small yellow ball flowers in spring. It is the native alternative to a clipped ball shrub, without the clipping.

Why you'll love it

• Movement most shrubs cannot give you. The weeping habit and fine foliage catch the wind, so the plant is never quite still.
• Lime green all year. The colour is bright enough to lift a dark corner or a bed of deep green natives.
• A rounded shape without pruning. It mounds naturally at around 1.5m by 1.5m, so a formal look needs no shears.
• Fast, hardy and undemanding. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and wind tolerant once established, and it fills its space quickly.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A 400mm or larger pot with sharp drainage suits it, and the weeping foliage spilling over a rim is the look this plant was selected for.

Mass planting, borders and edging. Plant 1m apart for a soft flowing mass planting. At that spacing the mounds touch without crowding, and the surface reads as one rolling band of lime.

Feature planting and small gardens. A single plant works as a soft full stop at the end of a bed, and it fits a courtyard where a full river wattle never would.

Growing River Wattle Lime Magik in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade, with the best colour and densest habit in sun. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so southern winters are no obstacle.

Soil. Drainage is the make or break. Dwarf river wattles are prone to collar rot in wet or heavy ground, so plant on a raised mound in clay, keep mulch well clear of the stem, and never let water pool at the base.

Water and feed. Water deeply through the first summer, then it is drought tolerant and prefers to be left alone. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring, and go light: rich feeding produces soft growth that flops.

Pruning. Tip prune lightly after flowering to keep the mound tight. Do not cut back into bare wood, because it does not reliably reshoot from old stems.

What to expect when it arrives

Two sizes are sold: tube stock, and 250mm in packs of three. Tubes are young and single stemmed, the sensible buy for a mass planting, and fill out within a season or two. The 250mm plants arrive already mounded and give you the shape straight away.

Be realistic about lifespan. Dwarf river wattles are not long lived shrubs, and five to eight good years is a fair expectation before a plant thins and wants replacing. Plants are delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete acacia and wattle care guide
• Browse Australian native shrubs
• Native plants with yellow flowers
• Plants suited to pots and containers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

One metre apart for a mass planting, which lets the mounds meet without pushing into each other. As a single feature, give it a clear 1.5m radius.

Why did my plant suddenly die?

Almost always collar rot from wet soil around the stem. Dwarf river wattles need sharp drainage, so mound the planting position, keep mulch off the trunk and avoid watering into the crown.

Does it need pruning to stay round?

No. The mounding shape is natural, and a light tip prune after flowering is all it asks. Avoid hard cuts into old wood, which it does not reliably recover from.

Will it grow in a subtropical garden?

Yes, subtropical is within its range, but drainage matters even more in a wet summer. Plant it high, in full sun, in the best drained ground you have.