Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is home to a wide variety of yellow flowers, with wattles being the most well-known. Golden Wattle, the national floral emblem, is native to Canberra and can also be found in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia. Wattle shrubs and plants vary in size, ranging from 4 to 8 meters, and thrive in hot and dry climates. Hibbertia, a big bright yellow five-petal flower with dark green decorative foliage, can be found growing wild in most parts of Australia, especially coastal areas. Other yellow flowers include the native cherry or Lilly Pilly, native frangipanis, grevilleas, billy buttons, and kangaroo paw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Golden Wattle, Acacia, Mimosa, Thorntree, Hibiscus, Gazania Rigens Yellow, Billy Buttons, Flannel Flowers, Grevilleas, Lilly Pilly, Native Frangipanis |
| Scientific Name | Acacia pycnantha, Hibbertia Scandens, Gazania Rigens, Pycnosorus globosus, Grevillea banksii, Syzygium australe, Waterhousea, Hymenosporum flavum |
| Genus | Acacia, Hibbertia, Gazania, Anigozanthos, Craspedia, Grevillea, Syzygium, Waterhousea, Hymenosporum |
| Species | Pycnantha, Scandens, Rigens, Globosus, Banksii, Australe |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea Family), Dilleniaceae, Asteraceae, Haemodoraceae, Rubiaceae, Proteaceae |
| Appearance | Bright yellow flowers, dark green foliage, daisy-like flowers, furry, strappy leaves, globular flower heads, clusters of flowers, dense foliage, glossy leaves, oval-shaped leaves |
| Height | 4-8 meters, 15 meters, 15-25 cm, 1 meter, 2 meters, 6-8 feet, up to 1 meter |
| Width | 1-3 meters, 1 meter, 1 meter, 6 feet |
| Flowering Period | August to September, Autumn to early winter, Winter to Spring |
| Conditions | Hotter and drier climates, sandy soil, direct sunlight, well-drained soil, drier conditions, acidic soil, moist soil, well-watered soil |
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What You'll Learn
Golden Wattle, Australia's national flower
The Golden Wattle, also known as Acacia pycnantha, is Australia's national floral emblem. It is a tree of the family Fabaceae, commonly known as mimosa, acacia, thorntree or wattle. The species was first described by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773, based on the African species Acacia nilotica (now Vachellia nilotica).
The Golden Wattle is native to Australia's Capital Territory, Canberra, and is also found growing in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. It is an understorey plant in the eucalyptus forests of southeastern Australia, growing to a height of 4-8 metres. The fragrant, golden flowers appear in late winter and spring, followed by long seed pods. The Acacia trees are iconic to both Australia and Africa, and there are over 1300 species worldwide, with 960 of these being native to Australia.
The Golden Wattle has been culturally important to Aboriginal people for a long time. Its seeds were collected and ground into flour, and the medicinal properties of some Acacias were used to treat headaches, skin ailments, aches, infections, rheumatism, colds, and toothaches. The flowers are also used in making perfumes, bath herbs, and potpourris.
The Golden Wattle has been an informal floral emblem of Australia for many years, even featuring on a stamp in 1970 labelled "Golden Wattle". In 1988, it was formally adopted as the floral emblem of Australia, and the day was marked by a ceremony at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, where a golden wattle was planted. The Australian Coat of Arms also includes a wreath of wattle, and the green and gold colours used by Australian international sporting teams were inspired by the colours of wattles.
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Hibbertia, a wildflower found in Victoria
Hibbertia is a genus of flowering plants in the Dilleniaceae family, native to Australia. One of the species, Hibbertia vestita, is a small rounded shrub with a compact growth habit, typically reaching around 30 cm in height and spreading to 40-50 cm in width. It has short, blunt leaves and small hairs covering its stems and leaves. Hibbertia vestita typically blooms in the spring, producing large, bright yellow flowers with five petals.
Hibbertia vestita is native to the state of Queensland in Australia, where it is commonly found in the Wallum wetlands and the drier high dunes along the east coast. However, it has also been reported in other parts of Australia, including the sandstone plateau of the Blackdown Tableland west of Rockhampton. This versatile plant can adapt to most situations and is relatively long-lived. It thrives in full sun and benefits from additional water during dry periods. While pruning is not necessary, it can promote bushier growth.
Another species of Hibbertia, tentatively identified as Hibbertia Bangorbypassii, was discovered by the Menai Wildflower Group in 2003 during the construction of the Bangor Bypass. This species has typical Hibbertia flowers with five yellow petals and stamens clustered on one side of two silky carpels. The sepals are mostly glabrous but have hairs on the margins. This species has been observed growing on the sides of ridges and in gullies with sandstone soils, typically near a water source. Efforts are being made to protect the remnant population while awaiting a decision on the plant's status.
Hibbertia species are generally easy to propagate from cuttings, and they can be found growing wild in Australia, particularly in coastal areas of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. They are also present in other parts of the world, including New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Madagascar. These cheerful yellow flowers brighten up gardens and bring a sunny vibe to shady spots.
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Grevillea, a popular plant with yellow flowers
Grevillea is a native Australian flowering plant species with varieties ranging from trees and shrubs to ground cover. Grevilleas are known for their striking, textured foliage and unique flowers that can appear spider-like, toothbrush-style, or large and brush-like. Some varieties are also scented. Grevillea plants are hardy, easy to grow, and low-maintenance, making them a popular choice for gardens. They are also drought-tolerant and can attract birds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with their abundant nectar.
One of the most popular grevilleas is Grevillea 'Long John', a shrub with dazzling flowers and evergreen foliage of small, pointed leaves. It produces large clusters of coral flowers at the end of its upright branches throughout the year. Another popular variety is Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream', a hybrid shrub known for its multicoloured flowers that start as soft yellow and develop pink and orange hues over time.
Grevillea 'Superb' is a compact evergreen shrub with light green, deeply divided leaves and stunning flowers. The plant produces large clusters of coral, pink, and yellow flowers, providing nectar for birds and hummingbirds. It is frost hardy and adaptable to various climates and soils. Grevillea robusta, also known as Silky Oak or Silk Oak, is a fast-growing and majestic evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape and horizontal limbs. It offers a striking display of large golden orange flowers in dense spikes, along with fern-like, olive-green foliage.
Grevillea rosmarinifolia is a dense evergreen shrub with arching branches and rosemary-like leaves. Its red spidery flowers and glossy dark green foliage with a silvery underside create a unique and attractive contrast. G. thelemanniana, also known as the hummingbird bush or spider-net grevillea, features yellow-tipped and fiery red flowers. It can grow up to 6 metres in height and spread up to 5 metres across, making it ideal for screening or hedging. 'Honeybird Yellow' is a compact grevillea variety that grows up to 1 metre in height and width, sporting yellow and gold colours in your garden.
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Native frangipanis, yellow-flowering backyard trees
Australia's national flower, the Golden Wattle, is a common yellow-flowering tree in Victoria. It produces some of the most fragrant flowers, which are used in perfumes, bath herbs, and potpourris. Wattles come in many shapes and sizes, from groundcovers to large trees.
Another yellow-flowering tree in Victoria is the Hibiscus, which grows in subtropical areas, including the coastal areas of Australia.
The Native Frangipani, or Hymenosporum flavum, is a semi-deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 metres (82 feet) high. It is commonly found in the rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests of Queensland and New South Wales. The flowers are initially white with lemon tinges and gradually turn golden yellow with red and purple track lines in the throat. The Native Frangipani is a great feature tree for any garden and can also be used in parks. It prefers well-drained and nutritious soil but can tolerate a variety of soil types.
Gazania Rigens is another yellow-flowering plant that has naturalised on coastal dunes and roadsides in the Central Coast and Sydney regions of New South Wales, as well as the coast of South East Queensland. It grows in subtropical areas, including Southern North America, Northern Africa, South Africa, South Asia, and Australia.
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Gazania Rigens, a yellow daisy-like flower
Gazania rigens, also known as the treasure flower or African daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to coastal areas of southern Africa. It is naturalised in other regions, including Australia, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Gazania rigens is prized for its brilliant yellow blooms, which appear against blue-grey foliage in the late spring and throughout the summer. The flowers, which resemble daisies, have a diameter of about one meter and a height of 15-25 cm. Each petal has a brownish-black watermark, creating a perfect circle around the centre of the flower.
Gazania rigens is a spreading, low-growing, half-hardy perennial, with a maximum height and width of 50 cm. Its leaves are basal, numerous, narrow, and more or less lanceolate, with a shiny green obverse and a lapel that is grayish-white. The plant is quite indifferent to the nature of the soil, but it requires a sunny position and is tolerant of dryness and poor soils. It is well-adapted to drought, heat, and strong sun, and its flower heads close when in the shade or when the weather is overcast.
In temperate regions, Gazania rigens is usually grown as a half-hardy annual, although it can tolerate light frosts. It is a prolific bloomer that attracts butterflies and is ideal for gardeners seeking an eye-catching bloom that doesn't require much maintenance. Gazania rigens prefers full sun, receiving at least six hours of unfiltered sunlight per day, and sandy, well-drained soil with a neutral pH of close to 7.0. It is drought-tolerant and adapted to dry soil, so watering is only necessary when the soil is truly dry.
Propagation can be achieved through seed or stem cutting. If growing from seed, it is recommended to start indoors about 10 weeks before the average last frost date in your area, planting the seeds in cell trays filled with a seed-starting mix. For propagation by stem cutting, take basal cuttings in the fall and overwinter them indoors in a bright location. Transplant the cuttings outdoors in spring, cutting back the foliage to a couple of inches above the ground in the plant's second season if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
The Golden Wattle is Australia's national flower. It is native to Australia's Capital Territory, Canberra, and is also found growing in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia.
Some yellow flowers native to Australia include the Golden Wattle, the Gazania Rigens Yellow, the Hibbertia, the Grevillea, and the Billy Buttons.
Hibbertias grow in Australia, particularly in coastal areas in NSW, QLD, and Victoria. They can also be found in New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Madagascar.
The Grevillea is a popular plant in Australia and can come in a range of colours, from electric yellow to vibrant pink. They love sunlight and need soil that is slightly acidic but low in phosphorus.
