This beautiful evergreen tree—also known as Racosperma dealbatum, silver wattle, blue wattle, or mimosa—is a species of Acacia native to Australia. In some European countries its flowers are often given to women on International Women’s Day, and because they’re so attractive they’re commonly sold by florists. The flower essence, called “cassie” or “opopanax,” is used in perfumery.

This acacia prefers a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden, even tucked into a corner. It’s fast-growing (as you can see in my photos). Allow about 2–3 m of space; it can reach 20–30 ft (6–9 m), and you can always shorten the branches. If you live in the Mediterranean or southern Europe, it’s perfect for your garden: it provides quick summer shade, stays evergreen, and in January–February it bursts into magical, fragrant clusters of yellow blooms.

It’s a hardy plant: USDA zones 7–10 (roughly UK zone 8), and it tolerates acidic to neutral soils. The main drawback is exposure to strong winds; I lost a beautiful mimosa when the wind literally pulled it out by the roots. The plant tolerates both drought and periods of wet conditions. In my area water shortages are common, but not a problem for this beauty. It enjoys hot summers and, being hardy to about −10 °C, can be grown outdoors in parts of Britain. For propagation, scarify the seeds before sowing. Enjoy this tree!