Wattle
August 31st 2006 01:01
The Wattle
'Wattle' is the Australian colloquial given to the plant species acacia, and they are wonderful native plants of this country. There are over 850 species of wattle in this country, and they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, colours and textures, serve a number of different purposes, and hence be adaptable to the intention of almost any gardener.
So what's up with wattles?
Wattle are excellent to use if you are just starting a garden. This is because they grow readily from seed. You can use their quick growth to shade or screen other plants during the growth stage of a garden also.
Wattles have a fairly lengthy life-span of about 7-12 years, and are tolerant to a broad range of conditions, including the harshness of hot dry climates. This adaptability is mostly due to many species having special leaves that reduce water loss (technically they are not leaves, but 'phyllodes')
Wattles are not only a great plant for the environment, and starting a garden, they also have a unique relationship to ants. Some wattle varieties have nectaries at the base to provide food for ants, and other varieties produce food on their seeds, so that when ants access the nectar, they spread the seeds and new plants can germinate.
Excellent! How do you grow them?
As previously stated, wattles grow easily from seed. They should be sown in spring or early autumn in pots with good drainage, and once the seeds have grown their first leaves you can transfer them into a taller pot.
Fertilising is not really necessary, and so by choosing wattles you can reduce the need for chemicals in your garden.
Mulching is important, and should be done regularly. Mulching helps keep the root system cool, improves soil texture, and reduces soil compaction.
They don't need to be watered unless in the initial growing stages, or when they show signs of distress.
I must thank Don Bourke for the info.
So what's up with wattles?
Wattle are excellent to use if you are just starting a garden. This is because they grow readily from seed. You can use their quick growth to shade or screen other plants during the growth stage of a garden also.
Wattles have a fairly lengthy life-span of about 7-12 years, and are tolerant to a broad range of conditions, including the harshness of hot dry climates. This adaptability is mostly due to many species having special leaves that reduce water loss (technically they are not leaves, but 'phyllodes')
Wattles are not only a great plant for the environment, and starting a garden, they also have a unique relationship to ants. Some wattle varieties have nectaries at the base to provide food for ants, and other varieties produce food on their seeds, so that when ants access the nectar, they spread the seeds and new plants can germinate.
As previously stated, wattles grow easily from seed. They should be sown in spring or early autumn in pots with good drainage, and once the seeds have grown their first leaves you can transfer them into a taller pot.
Fertilising is not really necessary, and so by choosing wattles you can reduce the need for chemicals in your garden.
Mulching is important, and should be done regularly. Mulching helps keep the root system cool, improves soil texture, and reduces soil compaction.
They don't need to be watered unless in the initial growing stages, or when they show signs of distress.
I must thank Don Bourke for the info.
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