Late winter is punctuated with the profusion of golden blooms of wattle.
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The green and gold of wattles is unmistakably Australian. With more than 800 species in a variety of shapes and sizes, there is a wattle for any Aussie garden.
The golden wattle (acacia pycnantha) was officially gazetted in 1988 as the Australian floral emblem and, as wattles can be found growing in every state and territory of mainland Australia, it is a fitting choice.
As garden plants, wattles are ideal for quick cover ups. They can be used as groundcovers, small shrubs, or medium to large trees.
One thing they all have in common is that unique appearance that makes them quintessentially Australian.
Most species are very vigorous growers but unfortunately, relatively short lived.
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Some of the more ornamental species such as the Cootamundra wattle and golden wreath wattle have become problematic weeds in different areas, so it's important to check with your local nursery for the most appropriate species.
Some of the best wattle selections for ornamental gardens include: acacia cognata and its cultivars 'lime light', 'mini cog' and 'copper tips'; acacia fimbriata; acacia cultriformis; acacia spectabilis; acacia podalyriifolia; and acacia baileyana, 'purpurea'.
Wattles have a diverse range of flower colours, including white, cream and every shade of yellow. There are even flowering species that come in red, acacia leprosa or 'scarlet blaze', and purple, acacia purpureapetala.
Wattle flowers are produced in globular heads or spiked racemes adding to their diversity. Many species have modified leaves called phyllodes, which reduce water loss from the plant to help them in survive dry conditions.
Wattles can be easily grown from seed if heat treated. Simply place the seed into a container and pour in boiling water, leave overnight and plant the swollen seeds into a good potting mix.
Germination will occur in around ten days and once plants are established they can be planted out.
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Wattles require very little maintenance, but respond well to regular tip pruning of young plants to encourage more compact bushes. Pruning regularly after flowering also encourages more compact growth.
The most striking feature of wattles is their profusion of blooms.
