Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog'

Common Name: river wattle 
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Fabaceae
Zone: 9 to 11
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Evergreen
Tolerate: Drought

Culture

Best grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, sandy loams in full sun. Provide light, afternoon shade in hot, inland climates. Tolerant of some drought once established. Hardy in Zones 9-11.

'Mini Cog' grows best in full sun to partly shaded conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Acacia cognata, commonly called river wattle, is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree endemic to the coastal plain and lowland forests of southeastern Australia. Mature plants will reach 6-30' tall with an equal spread. The branches are arching to pendulous with smooth, grey-green bark. The yellow-green, thin, curved, leaf-like phyllodes are linear to narrowly elliptic in shape and can reach 4" long. Small, lemon yellow, globe-shaped inflorescences bloom in spring. Linear, 4" long, papery seed pods form in fall.

Genus name come from the Greek name for Acacia arabica.

The specific epithet cognata means "closely related", in reference to a different species of Acacia that the author believed was closely related to this species.

'Mini Cog' is a dwarf selection of river wattle that features a compact, rounded habit and weeping foliage Mature plants will reach 2-3' tall and 4-5' wide. The flowers bloom in spring but are not considered horticulturally significant. Flowers may not appear in the colder end of its hardiness range. Can also be found at nurseries and garden centers (particularly in the United States) sold under the name COUSIN ITT. This plant is protected by patent number PP25133 under the cultivar name 'ACCOG01'.

Problems

No major pest or disease problems have been reported.

Uses

Mass or accent specimen for mixed borders, rock gardens, alpine gardens, seaside gardens, small spaces and container plantings.