Like most acacias, baileyana can reseed freely and is on the California Invasive Plant Species List. A. baileyana has spread all over Fort Ord and can be seen happily waving its yellow pollen fronds everywhere in the spring. For this reason CAUTION is advised—think twice before you plant!
That said this showy purple acacia is very fast growing and tough. The mauve to silvery gray foliage is stunning and the feathery texture adds much to a landscape. Profuse, fragrant yellow blooms (which some have allergies too) appear in the early part of the season. If purple is not your color, the plain baileyana has gray green foliage and grows to the same form.
Drought tolerant, frost hardy and disease resistant once established. Baileyana 'Purpurea' spreads out a wide canopy and is easily shaped as a patio or street tree. It is lovely when left as a multi-trunk form as well. Some shearing is recommended to keep purple coloring in the new growth. Perhaps its only failing (besides reseeding freely EVERYWHERE) is that acacias can be short lived - around 30 years. |
Maximum height
20-30 feet high
20-40 feet wide
Life Span
30+ years |
