A week or so ago, I noticed that the very large dealbata at Hollacombe
on the road to Paignton is colouring up very well with the first
flower clusters already open. It is probably the largest in Torbay
with a 20 - 30ft. spread and similar height. When that starts it's
truly magnificent. A very tall (well over 30ft.) tree in a car park
between Torquay and Babbacombe is also looking good, but it has to
compete with nearby trees so the spread isn't quite so impressive.

There's the plain green-leaved form of Acacia baileyana that has been
in full flower for a few weeks in Torwood gardens just above the
harbour side on the road to Babbacombe. Although it is relatively
small, it's a very welcome blaze of brilliant yellow on grey rainy
days. Acacia baileyana is possibly a tad less hardy than a. dealbata,
but makes up for that by being a neater, less massive grower and
providing a brilliant splash of colour in mid-winter in mid winter
irrespective of the weather. 'Purpurea' is especially good with its
new growth overlaid dusky purple and it is supposedly hardier.

Acacia retinodes makes a fine small to medium sized tree, which is not
accredited with a great deal of winter hardiness, but I grew it in my
Midlands garden in the 1970's when winters were 'proper' if you get my
meaning. It can flower on an off throughout much of the year, but
puts on its best show in summer. The foliage of the adult plant is
willowy creating a rather elegant outline and it responds well to a
degree of corrective pruning where space becomes limited.