Acacia

Planted at Mount Vernon

Botanical Garden

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

Sweet acacia bears golden, sweet-smelling flower during the winter months that are attractive to a variety of pollinators. Its ferny foliage and serpentine branch structure add interest to the garden. Acacia trees make almost impenetrable hedges due to their thorny branches, while the flowers are used in the perfume industry.

Latin Name

Vachellia farnesiana

Family

Fabaceae

Also Known As

Sweet acacia , Huisache , Needle Bush

Type of Plant

Tropical

Bloom Season

November - March

Seasons

Fall

Winter

Spring

Specifications

Max Height: 35'

Max Spread: 25'

Uses

Hedge

Sunlight Exposure

Full Sun

Toxicity

Do not ingest

Harmful to pets

Colors

Native Range

Mexico and Central America

History

Washington wrote in his diary on June 13, 1785, that he planted “a species of the Acacia (or Acasee) used in the West Indias for incircling their Gardens” in "the inclosure I had prepared for a Nursery" (his Botanic Garden).

Other Details

Grown by Washington

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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