Vachellia farnesiana, also known as the Yellow Mimosa, is a beautiful large shrub or small tree native to Tropical America. It reaches a height of 5-10 ft when grown as a shrub, and 10-20 when grown as a small tree. Vachellia farnesiana grows best in full sun to semi-shade areas with moderate water. This plant is a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds due to its vibrant, yellow and orange flowers that are also sweetly fragrant. The puffs of yellow flowers give Vachellia farnesiana a beautiful look, while they also make it an ideal accent or specimen plant.
This plant can be grown in a pot in cold regions if kept like houseplants, as it is hardy in USDA Zone 8-11. It is a surprisingly tough plant and can withstand even quite cold temperatures for short periods of time, being mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F. It is also pretty salt tolerant, making it a great option for seaside locations.
When growing Vachellia farnesiana, the soil should be well-drained and should be fertilized regularly. This bushy shrub can reach a height of 5-10 ft when grown as a shrub, and 10-20 ft when grown as a small tree. Pruning regularly and training it while young would be beneficial as it will help produce more flowers. When grown as a shrub, it should be pruned heavily at around 3-4 ft to promote branching and flowering.
To ensure a healthy plant, water it regularly and do not let it dry out too much. Mulching is also important to protect the plant from extreme temperatures and to prevent water evaporation from the soil. It is also essential to watch out for pests and weeds, and to be mindful of the quantity of water and fertilizer that is used to prevent any burn or damage to the roots.
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