Plant an icon on Wattle Day

Wattle trees in flower along the Pacific Highway.

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• Students get planting early

TODAY is National Wattle Day, 100 years after wattle was selected as the nation’s floral emblem.

Farmers are being encouraged to celebrate the rain and the centenary of National Wattle Day by planting the iconic Australian emblem this spring, to provide shade and shelter for lambs, calves and other stock.

“Everyone can enjoy wattle plantings in their garden, school ground, common or park – just make sure you’re planting species which are suited to your area and won’t become a pest,” said Industry and Investment NSW advisory officer Dhyan Blore.

“They grow easily from seeds or suckers and as nitrogen-fixing plants they benefit the growth of trees, such as eucalypts, and can provide protection for seed- lings and frost-sensitive young trees.”

According to Ms Blore, the wattle or Acacia is a pioneer species which has an important role in revegetating areas after fire or cultivation.

“Wattles help promote healthy ecosystems and biodiversity,” she said.

“Flowering wattles produce pollen which is a food source for insects and for the native birds, reptiles and mammals who feed on insects, wattles can be a real driver of food availability.”