Mimosas (Golden Wattel) Farming in Backyard | Aplus Farms
For many people, wattles are a comforting symbol of Australia. We admire their rapid growth, golden balls of flowers and their distinct scent, and celebrate them as our national floral emblem.
While Australians tend to admire all wattles, it's the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) that, since 1988, is the floral emblem. In 1992, September 1 was formally declared Wattle Day.
It's no surprise that wattles are so much part of the Australian identity. They are found across Australia in every environment with some 1000 or more species growing here of the 1350 known around the world. Many wattles have adapted to specific climates and growing conditions. Gidgee (A. cambager), for example, grows in the arid inland of Australia, while blackwood (A. melanoxylon) is a stately tree of cool moist areas in southern Australia.
Not all have ball-shaped golden flowers. Wattle flowers can be round balls but may also form cylindrical spikes and wattle flowers can be cream or lemon coloured. There are even red-and purple flowered varieties. A leprosa 'Scarlet Blaze' has long stems of red ballshaped flowers.The variety doesn't stop with growing conditions or the flowers.
Many of the best-known wattles grow as trees but other are shrubby or even prostrate or groundcover plants. Some have small round leaves while others have ferny leaves. Some, including our floral emblem, are considered weeds in some parts of Australia and in other countries.And wattles are not native just to Australia.
Mimosa is one of the common names given to wattles native to other parts of the world.There are species of acacia found in Africa, Madagascar, parts of Asia and the Pacific and even in Central and South America.Indeed, as some of these wattles or mimosas were known to botany before Fast those that grow in Australia, some have been split into different genera.
Recently, there was a call by some botanists to reclassify Australia's wattles from Acacia to new genera.This would have resulted in more than 1000 name changes, reflecting the number of species of wttle in Australia. Instead, the decision was made to preserve the name Acacia for Australian wattles and move the African Acacia species to two new genera, Senegalia and Vachellia.
Planting Tips and Tricks
"Wattle's hard seed can lie dormant in soils for years waiting for the right conditions to germinate and grow, such as after a fire"
Fast Growth
Wattles are often coloniser plants that spread into disturbed areas where they grow rapidly. Their hard seed can lie dormant in soils for years waiting for the right conditions to germinate and grow, such as after a fire.This growth can be put to good use in gardens where hedges of wattles or even individual trees can be used to quickly create shelter and shade for other slower - growing plants.
fast-growing wattles are also useful to shelter our homes or black out unwanted views while slower-growing plants get going.Some fast-growing species are also short lived, starting to wind down or die after seven or so years of growth. fast-growing wattles can also be grown for firewood by landowners who have the space and rely on wood fires for heating.
As they grow quickly and flower and seed prolifically, wattles are also an ideal plant to include in habitat gardens to provide food and shelter for insects and wildlife. Wattles are legumes so their growth helps improve soils by the fixing nitrogen.Their very enthusiasm to grow and spread however has led to an increasing number of wattles consigned to weed lists.
Along with the golden wattle, other wattles that can become weedy and invasive in some situations include Cootamundra wattel (A. baileyana), which is much loved for its golden flowers and ferny silver leaves, and Queensland silver wattle (A. podalyriifolia), which has yellow flowers and round silver leaves.
This wattle is also weedy in other countries. To reduce the chance of wattles spreading, prune existing trees after flowering and remove seedlings. Avoid new plantings of known weedy species near bushland areas.
Backyard Farming
In habitat gardens, grow local indigenous wattles. They will be well adapted to local soils and climatic conditions and encourage local insects and other wildlife. For ornamental impact, select a range of wattles that can provide flowers throughout the year.
Discover these local wattles in local native nurseries and native gardens.With so many wattles now in cultivation and many named varieties, there's one to match almost any garden situation from shelterbelts and screens to groundcovers. Here are some ornamental wattles that can be grown in most areas.
Fast Growing (Hedge)
A. howittii 'Honeybun' (low hedge), Queensland silver wattle (A. podalyriifolia) for a tall hedge where it won't become invasive
- Autumn-winter flowers Blue bush(A. covenyi), Snowy River wattle (A. boormanii)
- Interesting leaves Knife-leaf wattle (A. cultriformis), hairy wattle (A. vestita)
- Dainty Fringed wattle (A. fimbriata), sunshine wattle (A. terminalis)
- Groundcover or cascading Box-leaf wattle (A. buxifolia 'Prostrate'), river wattle (A. cognata 'Mop Top'), Wyalong wattle (A. cardiophylla 'Gold Lace')
Growing
As wattle seed is very hard, it needs special treatment to encourage germination. Try abrasion, soaking or use smoke water. Wattle can also be grown from cuttings or by grafting. Local species are usually available from specialist native nurseries as tube stock ready to plant.
As most wattles are fast growing, small plants are an economical and practical way to start off wattles in gardens. Most do best with well-drained soils and regular water as they establish and grow. Use native mulch and feed annually with a low phosphate native plant food. Once they have begun to grow strongly, they are adaptable and can cope with dryness.
Alergy
Many hay fever and allergy sufferers blame wattles for their watery eyes, runny noses, sneezes and headaches but wattles may not be the culprits. Wattles are very obvious in flower but they have large, heavy pollen designed to be spread by birds and insects, not by wind.
Even if there are wattles in flower nearby, the pollens causing hay fever are more likely to emanate from the often-unnoticed flowers of grasses, deciduous trees and conifers, which are light and spread on the wind.
Planting Tips and Tricks
Wattle flowers and seeds are edible. The pollen-rich golden flowers of many wattles can be cooked into pancakes while the hard, nutritious seeds from some wattles are ground as flour to add a distinct flavour to biscuits, damper or even chocolate.
Scientific
- Common name: Wattle
- Botanical name: Acacia spp.
- Family: Mimosaceae (syn. Fabaceae)
- Aspect & soil: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil
- Best climate: All
- Habit: Tree, shrub, groundcover
- Propagation: Seed, cutting, potted plants
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate