With their masses of yellow blooms and buttery scent, wattles are nothing short of spectacular. These bush beauties (Acacia sp.) are true performers.
WATCH: All about wattle with Graham Ross
Wattle is easy to grow, quick to mature, forgiving of neglect and generous with their flowers. There’s a truly mind-boggling range in Australia – it’s estimated at as many as 850 species!
Their growth habits vary vastly, from tall trees to screen plants, shrubs and ground covers. In recent years, compact forms with attractive foliage have been released, which are marvellous for growing in large pots and tubs.
Quick to shine
Wattles live life in the fast lane, growing rapidly from seed and flowering profusely from a young age. On the flip-side, they can also be short-lived, lasting between seven and 12 years. However, you can use this to your advantage.
Great colonisers (meaning they’re good at growing in disturbed or freshly cleared soil), wattles can be planted up and used to protect more delicate understorey plants from above.
For gardeners confronting bare land, wattles are a quick screening plant to use while slower plants establish. In fact, to see their colonising habits in action, you only have to watch an area of bushland after fire, as wattles are often the first seedlings to pop up – they’re the true pioneers of the bush.
How to care for wattle
Aspect
Wattles grow happily in any sunny to semi-shaded spot. They have good tolerance to extremes of both heat and cold, however, if your garden is prone to heavy winter frosts, it’s worth planting species indigenous to your area, as these will be the most robust growers.
Soil
Wattles aren’t fussy about soil types but do need it to be free draining, so don’t plant in soggy spots that are slow to drain after heavy rainfall.
Watering
Water young trees regularly while they’re establishing. Once settled, wattles are hardy, water-wise plants that will get by on natural rainfall. During heatwaves and droughts, give them a drink to keep them going.
Fertiliser
Because they can ‘fix’ their own nitrogen, it’s not necessary to feed wattles. However, if planted among other native plants, they won’t mind a small amount of blood and bone or a low-phosphorus native plant food.
Maintenance
While plants are young and directly after flowering, tip pruning helps keep wattles bushy and compact, prolongs their life, and removes seed heads. But avoid heavy pruning – don’t cut into wood any thicker than a pencil.
Apply a layer of natural leaf litter or chunky bark over the soil to keep the roots cool, conserve soil moisture and restrict weed growth. Just keep it well back from the trunk itself.
Where to plant wattles in your garden
How to propagate wattles
Wattles are most commonly propagated by seed. The plant produces long pods that hold the seeds. The seed coat is hard, so it needs to be soaked in hot water for 24 hours before being planted. Use only the seeds that have swollen or scarify the seeds by rubbing with sandpaper. Then, plant about 5cm apart in a free-draining, seed-raising mix, press down lightly and water. Put in a semi-shade position and keep moist. Germination will occur within days or a few weeks.
How to grow wattle in small pots
If you are planning to grow your wattle in a small pot here are some tips best suited to the Acacia cognata varieties such as “Limelight”.
- Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant. Position in the garden that receives full sun to part shade.
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic, keeping it away from the trunk.
- Feed in Autumn and Spring with a fertiliser to ensure strong root development.
- Water is only required for young plants, but for older wattles showing signs of distress give a soak in a very dry period.
Wattle for small gardens
Many wattles may be too large or straggly when not in flower to be suitable for your garden. But breeders have now produced a host of smaller wattles suited to the Australian garden. Tall, small, elegant or cute, they can be tumbling over a wall, rippling along a border, standing proud as a specimen or even standing out with a blaze of scarlet flowers.
Check with your local council first
Check with your local authority before buying a wattle. Despite being Australian natives, some may be considered a weed in your area and not encouraged. For example, Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) is discouraged outside NSW and the silver or Mount Morgan wattle (A. podalriifolia) outside Queensland.
Wattle seeds
After flowering has finished, wattles are covered with hundreds of dangling seed pods. A staple of Indigenous diets for more than 60,000 years, they can be used in multiple ways. Try the flour in damper or bread – or try this recipe for kakadu plum and wattleseed brownie.
Wattles for your state
NSW
Cootamundra wattle (A. baileyana)
Mudgee or Pilliga wattle (A. spectabilis)
West Wyalong wattle (A. cardiophylla)
VICTORIA
Mallee wattle (A. Montana)
Sydney golden wattle (A. longifolia)
QUEENSLAND
Queensland silver wattle (A. Podalyriifolia)
Weeping myall (A. pendula)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Flinders Ranges wattle (A. Iteaphylla)
Barrier Range wattle (A. beckleri)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Drummond’s wattle (A. drummondii)
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Swamp wattle (A. dimidiata)
TASMANIA
Sweet-scented wattle (A. suaveolens). Also throughout mainland east coast.
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