River wattle Fettuccini

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; light afternoon shade is helpful in hot inland gardens.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then deeply during prolonged dry weather. Keep container plants evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral; avoid heavy, persistently wet ground.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m)

Flowers

Small pale-yellow flower heads may appear in late winter or spring; flowering can be sparse.

Foliage

Evergreen, narrow, flattened leaf-like stems called phyllodes, with curled or rippled edges and a soft, cascading habit; new growth is often lime green.

Growth

Moderate; size and speed vary with climate, soil and watering.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.1 ft (0.64 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.6 ft (0.78 m)

4. After 3 years

   3 ft (0.92 m)

5. After 5 years

   4 ft (1.2 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.
• Spread mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the stem.
• If feeding is needed, apply a low-phosphorus fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants in spring.
• Use a freely draining potting mix and a container with unobstructed drainage holes.
• Shelter from cold, drying winds and protect young plants from frost; move containers under cover in colder climates.

Pruning. Lightly tip-prune after flowering or during spring growth to maintain a compact outline, and remove dead or damaged branches. Avoid cutting hard into old, bare wood, which may not regrow reliably.

Spring

Plant once damaging frosts have passed, water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Late spring

Lightly trim wayward shoots after any flowering; feed only if growth is weak.

Summer

Check container moisture frequently and water established garden plants during prolonged dry spells.

Autumn

Check drainage before wetter weather and remove fallen material that blocks container drainage holes.

Winter

Protect from hard frost and keep sheltered container plants only lightly moist.

• Use as a soft-textured specimen beside a path or patio, allowing room for its mature spread.
• Grow in a large container where its trailing branch tips can fall over the rim.
• Repeat through a gravel or Australian native border for rounded evergreen structure.
• Pair with upright grasses and broad-leaved plants to emphasise its fine, ribbon-like foliage.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Contemporary minimal, Modern courtyard, Dry gravel garden, Green on green and Coastal.

Plant it with: Kangaroo paw, Lomandra, Flax lily, Coastal rosemary and Correa.

Wildlife: Flowers, when produced, can attract bees and other insects. The dense foliage offers shelter for small garden animals.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, avoid low spots and never leave pots standing in water.
• Frost scorch: choose a sheltered position, cover young plants during brief frosts and delay removing damaged growth until spring.
• Scale insects: inspect stems and treat small infestations with horticultural oil according to the label, avoiding hot weather.
• Brown foliage during drought or hot winds: check moisture around the roots, water deeply and provide shelter rather than frequent shallow watering.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but safety information specific to this cultivar is limited. Do not treat the foliage, flowers or seeds as edible, and discourage pets and children from chewing them.

• Little River wattle (Acacia cognata 'Limelight')

  Also forms a weeping mound, but its fine lime-green foliage is generally straighter and less conspicuously curled.

• River wattle (Acacia cognata)

  The ordinary species develops into a large shrub or small tree, with much less compact growth and mostly straight, narrow foliage.

The cultivar name 'Fettuccini' refers to its flattened, curling foliage, which resembles ribbons of pasta.

Propagation. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings to retain the cultivar's foliage and habit; rooting can be difficult. Seed-grown plants will not reliably resemble the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Acacia cognata

Native range

New South Wales and Victoria.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.