Did you know that wattles are a pioneer plant? These trees are one of the hardy species that are the first to colonise barren environments or previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted, for example by wildfire.
They loosen the soil and enrich it with nitrogen for all the plants around them.
On National Wattle Day we are reminded that wattles sum up ancient and modern Australia. They are a statement of the land’s antiquity – they have grown here for 30 million years. They tell the story of our land – from being embedded in Aboriginal society through to being the national floral emblem of modern multi-cultural Australia.
They grow quickly in harsh conditions and sustain our wildlife, providing shade and shelter and protein-rich seed and pollen for parrots and bees respectively.
Make a statement
In 2023 National Wattle Day organisers are encouraging people to ‘Make a statement and plant a wattle’. As they grow in your garden you too can witness all that they offer.
The Wattle Day Association believe the colour lifts our spirits at the end of winter as they perfume the Australian bush and reminds us to care for this land and the life it sustains.
There are more than 1,070 native Acacia species to choose from and they grow in all parts of the country.
The Wattle Day Association says that the wattle expresses the uniqueness of this great southern land and has become a unifying symbol of Australia for all Australians. So do the nation and your garden a favour – make a statement and plant a wattle in your garden.
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