Looks like:  Dense shrub to 3 m with 2 m spread. Dark green pinnate leaves. Bears cream to deep yellow ball-flowers in autumn and winter. This Acacia makes an excellent choice for the flower garden, as it has an unusually long flowering time through the colder months. It is well named, as it brings a bit of sunshine to gardens in the cooler months.  The foliage is also attractive when not in flower, being  bipinnate which gives it a fern-like look.

Habitat & Growing: Native to the eastern states of Australia, it grows to a shrub or small tree with an open habit and will grow easily in a range of conditions. Flower colour varies considerably, from very pale to vibrant yellow. Found in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. It is common in the bushland surrounding Sydney and occurs from Northern NSW down the east coast into Tasmania.
Propagation: From scarified seed or boiling water treatment.
Cultivation: Generally adaptable in cultivation, responds to sunny, reasonably well drained positions in most soils. Hardy plant which flowers during the off-season. Seed should be collected from populations with bright yellow flowers. Good for hydroseeding. Suitable for areas of low maintenance (eg. road batters) that is frost hardy (will tolerate frosts to -7 C ). Suitable hedge or screen plant. It is a low maintenance plant, likes a sunny and fairly well drained position, and can adapt to most soils. Can be pruned to promote a denser habitat. A good pioneer plant for new gardens as it grows quickly and gives some shelter to your slower growing shrubs and trees. One note of caution, it can be subject to borers which can make it a short lived plant.

Family	Fabaceae
Plant Type	Small tree, Small shrub, Large shrub
Width	1.5
Flowering Time	Spring, Autumn, Winter
Soil Type	Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Potting mix, Poor soil
Climate Zone	Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool
Growth Habitat	Evergreen, Open foliage, Spreading
Soil Moisture	Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Special Uses	Erosion control, Fast growing
Height	6
Flower Colour	Cream, Yellow
pH Level	Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Plant Environment	Low maintenance garden, Flower garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Light	Sunny, Light shade
Lifespan	Perennial, Short lived
Frost Tolerance	Tolerates light frost
Attracts Wildlife	Bees, Seed eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects

Distribution:

Traditional uses: The seeds of a large number of wattle species are edible and may be harvested for grinding into a flour, for the production of bread, or an edible paste. The plant is valued as a source of food, medicine and for the quality of its timber, used in the production of a range of tools and weapons. Inclusive of boomerangs, spear throwers, spears, digging sticks, parrying shields and clubs. The gum of a number of wattle varieties is edible, with the flavour akin to that of a mild sugary sweetness, which can become unpalatable when offset by high amounts of the plant’s tannin. The gum in some cases was utilised in the production of a drink, which served as remedy to coughs, colds and chest infections. Gum could also be applied directly to cuts and abrasions as an antiseptic preparation, either in a solid or powdered form.