Woolly Wattle is a tough, compact native shrub with bright globular flowers on long stems, ideal for shelter and erosion control, writes gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.

Wattles are now coming into bloom in the garden, and one of the first to flower is the Woolly Wattle (Acacia lanigera).

This is a tough little plant, much smaller than its cousins, growing to about one metre. It has a messy growth habit that provides shelter for wildlife.

The flowers are the brightest globular heads on long stems, a showstopper in any native garden. It is good for erosion control and does not mind poor virgin soil.

To keep the growth compact, prune after flowering in early spring. This plant is endemic to our region and can be seen at the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) at the National Arboretum in Forest 20.

Wattles belong to the Fabaceae family and are valuable for improving our soils by adding nitrogen to poor natural soils.

There are many wattles that grow well, most identifiable is Australia’s national floral emblem, symbolising unity, resilience, the nation in green and gold. The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha), grows into a large, five-metre tree in no time.

Golden wattles can be seen in nature reserves around Canberra, though they are best suited to larger suburban blocks. For local native plant stock, Cool Country Natives at Pialligo is a good place to start.

NOW the cool of the season is upon us, some plants move from ordinary to extraordinary. My favourite that can withstand Canberra’s climate is Christmas Cheer (Pieris japonica). This small-leaved shrub is long lived and tough once established.

From autumn the flowers begin to form, slowly opening through winter. Bees are attracted to the dainty bell-like blooms.

It grows slowly with horizontal branching and, in the right conditions, it reaches about two metres. Low maintenance once established, it prefers full sun with light afternoon shade and doesn’t like wet feet. 

Christmas Cheer is useful as a filler in a corner where little else will grow and prefers the same soil conditions as rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas.

RHODODENDRONS, camellias and azaleas should be fertilised now, along with an organic insecticide to control azalea lace bug and thrips, which are not visible to the eye. Spray once a month through winter in the cool of the day. Leaves will be glossy and healthy in spring.

Rhododendrons are in bud now. Water should be maintained through the colder months. In spring, the floral display will be the reward.

Camellias are flowering now. With suitable varieties, they can flower for seven to eight months. They are evergreen and grow well in this climate. Though slow growing, they develop into substantial evergreen shrubs.

Azaleas are also mostly evergreen and tough once established. Their profuse spring display is striking. 

IN the vegetable patch, sanitation is important for preventing pest and disease problems next year. 

All leaves from stone fruit should be removed and placed in the green bin. Fungicides can be applied for shot hole and peach leaf curl. Ripe pome fruit should be picked to prevent fruit fly overwintering and reappearing when the weather warms.

Lightly dig over the soil, keeping areas under fruit trees weed-free and mulched. 

Grape vines can be pruned now that leaves have fallen. If timing is incorrect, vines will bleed, so further pruning should wait until sap flow stops. A spray of copper oxychloride will help manage fungal issues in grapes.

Jottings 

• Deadhead chrysanthemums for continual flowering.
• Fertilise hellebores and winter flowering bulbs.
• Cut fronds off asparagus and sprinkle with lime.
• Increase indirect light for indoor plants.
• Secateurs should be cleaned with metho and water. 

jackwar@home.netspeed.com.au