Acacia 'Scarlet Blaze'

I was thrilled to notice that 'Scarlet Blaze' was in full bloom this morning. Acacia 'Scarlet Blaze' is its full correct name and it is Australia's only red flowered wattle. All our 1000 plus wattles are without exception cream or yellow so this one really stands out!

For those who don't know the story, 'Scarlet Blaze' was discovered by a couple of bushwalkers growing in forest north-east of Melbourne in 1995. It is a red flowered form of Acacia leprosa the cinnamon wattle. They had the presence of mind to bring a piece back to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne who were able to successfully propagate this unusual wattle - which is pretty amazing because all wattles germinate from seed and trying any other means of propagation would have been a venture into the unknown. It is just as well they were successful because the original tree has since perished. Nobody seems to know why it is red but it is so special it was chosen to be Victoria's floral emblem for the Centenary of Federation celebrations in 2001. The anthers are a pinky red colour but the dusting of golden pollen on their ends makes the entire flower look a bit orangey. I think Scarlet Blaze is an apt description.

The wattle in the pictures is in my garden and is about my third or fourth attempt to grow this tree. This is its third year but I am not uncrossing my fingers just yet! Then when I thought the day couldn't get any better these two wild ducks came to visit my wooden ducks beside the dam! I wonder what they chatted about?!