IF YOU have yet to plant a wattle tree in your backyard this winter, it is not too late.

Today is Wattle Day across the country, with residents encouraged to plant a wattle tree in their backyard.

The tree, which typically lives for 7-15 years, although some varieties can live up to 50 years, is a native plant to the Darling and Southern Downs.

Warwick Society for growing Australian Plants secretary Betty Armbruster said there is still time for people to plant a wattle tree in their backyard as spring rolls in today.

"In Queensland they (wattles) flower earlier than the other states," Mrs Armbruster said.

"So we typically hand them out at the beginning of August.

"But they flower from May to September.

"If people plant them now the plants will have seeded by November."

Mrs Armbruster said the plant would benefit others in the garden too.

"They're a quick growing tree," she said.

"They put more nitrogen into the soil so whatever comes after it will generally grow quicker and should be healthier too."

Mrs Armbruster said she would encourage everyone to plant one.

"Most wattles are quite frost-resistant; that's a big bonus here in Warwick," Mrs Armbruster said.

"I would suggest planting them after the main frosts are over.

"You do have to check on them when they're first planted; the first 12 months or so they need checking.

"Just because they are native it doesn't mean they look after themselves."

The Wattle

•  Australia's national floral emblem is Acacia pycnantha, the Golden Wattle
•  Wattle Day held on September 1 each year
•  1350 species of Acacia found throughout the world, almost 1000 of these in Australia