Acacia stricta, commonly known as Hop Wattle, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the open woodlands and forest margins of Southeastern Australia and Tasmania. It typically grows to a height of 10-16 feet (3-4.9 meters) and a width of 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters). The plant has a dense, upright habit with slender branches and phyllodes (flattened leaf stems that function as leaves) instead of true leaves. Hop Wattle produces bright yellow, rod-shaped flower clusters in the winter and spring, which are moderately showy and attract pollinators.

Hop Wattle is valued for its hardiness and low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for urban planting, border planting, and as a screen or hedge. It is particularly noted for its resilience to drought and moderately salty winds, which makes it a good choice for coastal areas. The plant prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it can tolerate partial to complete shade, flowering is best in sunnier locations. Hop Wattle is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems, but it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is also worth noting that Acacia species can become invasive when grown outside their native range, so gardeners should be mindful of local regulations and the plant’s potential to spread.CC BY-SA 4.0