Swamp everlasting crowned Melbourne’s new floral emblem

Melbourne’s new official floral emblem has been decided, with the swamp everlasting (Xerochrysum palustre) narrowly claiming victory in one of the City of Melbourne’s most popular ever community engagement exercises.

More than 8500 people cast nearly 25,000 votes in the competition, each voter given three selections. The tall, golden native daisy secured almost 4000 votes – edging out common billy buttons by just 200 votes in a tight finish. Chocolate lily (3600 votes) and purple coral-pea (3000 votes) rounded out the top four.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the result confirmed Melbourne’s affection for the endangered native species.

We’re delighted to have the swamp everlasting as Melbourne’s floral emblem. Gritty, beautiful and tenacious, it is the perfect symbol for Melbourne, he said.

“The swamp everlasting is Melbourne through and through – resilient, understated and stronger than it looks. A true underdog, and a worthy winner.”

Before colonisation, swamp everlasting thrived across Melbourne’s wetlands. Today, it stands as a reminder of the city’s unique ecosystem and the importance of caring for Country as urban development continues.

When in bloom – often for almost half the year – its bright yellow flowers will feature prominently outside Melbourne Town Hall, where they will brighten planter boxes in the heart of the CBD. The emblem will also be used in civic gifts for new Australian citizens and visiting dignitaries, artistic displays and plantings across the municipality.

Environment portfolio head Cr Davydd Griffiths said the competition had sparked widespread interest in Melbourne’s native flora.

“These iridescent golden daisies have flourished in our wetlands for thousands of years. Now, as our floral emblem, they’ll be proudly woven into Melbourne’s future,” he said.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for Melburnians to learn more about the plants that grow around them and to think about their connections to the local environment.”

The full results of the public vote placed the swamp everlasting first, followed by common billy buttons, chocolate lily, purple coral-pea, yam daisy (murnong), tall bluebell, kangaroo grass, rounded noon-flower and austral storksbill.

The council said the emblem was a key part of its broader Garden City vision, reflecting Melbourne’s identity as a city that values nature, honours Traditional Owners and celebrates its distinctive environment.

As part of that push, the City of Melbourne has also launched a “super-sized” round of its Urban Forest Fund, offering up to $1 million in matched funding to support greening projects across the city.

“The floral emblem is a reminder that nature is never far in our Garden City, and now the swamp everlasting will be forever part of Melbourne’s story,” Cr Reece said. •