When picturing a ‘swamp’, your mind may not conjure golden, iridescent, papery daisies – but this formidable flower is a wonder of the wetlands, and a reminder to care for Country.
Swamp everlasting are a critically endangered species of native paper daisy that adorn wetlands across southeastern Australia. In bloom from September to April, the layered, yolky bracts (its ‘petals’) open over many days to provide a prolonged feast for pollinators – like its Asteraceae (daisy family) kin.
The land on which our city sits was once dotted with wetlands and billabongs, many of which have sadly been lost to habitat clearing and climate impacts. As wetlands have dwindled, so too has the swamp everlasting – such is the sad irony of its name. In its pre-colonial heyday, it would have been a mainstay of the freshwater wetlands and billabongs surrounding the Yarra River – Birrarung and Moonee Ponds Creek.
With so few paper daisies found in nature, why not grow them at home? They thrive in ample sun and a well-watered pot, wicking bed or rain garden. Their flowers can be dried and kept for years; the gorgeous golden hue everlasting even when picked.
Coming soon
A beautiful, everlasting daisy that is endemic to south-eastern Australia and listed as Critically Endangered under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Colonisation has brought with it the rapid degradation of the Bunurong people’s traditional wetlands, through rampant development, extensive draining and pollution, destroying the favoured habitat of the swamp everlasting. The large golden flowers blossom spectacularly from November to March, providing enduring sustenance for our native bees and butterflies. As a valuable cultural marker for the Bunurong people, the timing of this blooming links with important seasonal knowledge about Country.
‘Swamp everlasting is a tough little wildflower that thrives in wetland edges, and supports native butterflies and insects. I like that it holds its golden blooms for so long - almost like it's standing guard. It’s a plant that reminds me of the value of persistence and quiet impact.’
‘This native paper daisy is really something special. This particular variety is critically endangered in Victoria. Its golden yellow flowers are warm, welcoming and put a smile on your face! Just imagine these planted around our city - beautiful!’
‘I'm a sucker for everlastings. They're beautiful, showy flowers and if you happen across a patch of them in the wild - magnificent! As the name suggests, this one likes it slightly damp and is good in pots.’
‘A critically endangered species, where in wetland situations is vital for the pollinators. This plant is a great addition to gardens with poor drainage and can also do very well in pots, as long as you keep a saucer of water at the base. It is an everlasting so its flowers can be kept for years. these flowers close at night and also close when it rains to protect its internal bracts.’
‘It’s raining sunshine and it’s a keeper because it so useful, as a cut flower, or a pollinators; easy to grow, tolerating droughts as well as sunny positions.’
‘It is a critically endangered species that relies on our direct action to ensure the survival of the species. They make fantastic cut flowers when dried! They are easy to grow in cultivation and provide beautiful golden daisy flowers over the spring and summer season.’
'Who said only ogres like Shrek can love swamps! To me this plant represents hope and connection. It's become rare due to concerted efforts to drain wetter areas, such as most of west Melbourne, to build over them. Yet it's a plant that can become abundant again if we reinstate wet areas where it thrives. It's also a plant that can be successfully grown in pots as long as we remember to care for them and not let them dry out. If we saw this plant in more places we'd know we'd made a difference!'
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
