10 Plants Commemorating Our Heroes
As we approach our upcoming commemorative celebration, we'd like to highlight ten remarkable plant species that hold special significance for our service men and women. These living tributes serve as enduring reminders of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who have served our nation.
1. Aleppo Pine:
A descendant of the original Lone Pine from Gallipoli, this Aleppo Pine holds a place of honor in our memorial. Propagated from a seed of the Australian War Memorial's Lone Pine, it stands as a living link to the brave soldiers who fought at Lone Pine ridge in 1915.
2. Gallipoli Rosemary:
A living link to Anzac Cove, this rosemary bush was brought back by a wounded digger in 1915. For decades, sprigs from this plant have been worn to honor the fallen on Anzac and Armistice days.
3. Geraldton Wax Flower ‘Local Hero’:
This graceful native shrub, with its glossy red buds and pink flowers, acknowledges the Western Australian community's support for the Australian SAS since 1957.
4. Grevillea 'Legacy Flame':
Developed to commemorate Legacy's centenary in 2023, this hybrid grevillea resembles the iconic Legacy Torch with its vibrant red/orange flower spikes.
5. Grevillea 'RSL Spirit of ANZAC':
Released in 2015 to mark the Gallipoli centenary, this tough plant with lush red flowers symbolizes the resilience and sacrifice of the ANZACs.
6. Gallipoli Rosemary:
This vigorous Australian native climber, with its purple pea-like flowers, represents the adaptability and strength of our service personnel.
7. Red and Green Kangaroo Paw:
As Western Australia's floral emblem, this unique plant embodies the distinctive spirit of our state and its contribution to national service.
8. The Happy Wanderer Rose:
With its crimson double blooms, this bushy rose adds a touch of beauty and resilience to our commemorative gardens.
9. The Lilly Marlene Rose:
Named after a famous World War II song, this floribunda rose with warm apricot blooms serves as a poignant reminder of wartime memories.
10. SASR Golden Jubilee Rose:
Propagated to commemorate the SASR Golden Jubilee, this gold-colored Hybrid Tea rose symbolizes the prestige and valor of our Special Air Service Regiment.
The unique story of our heroes
Each of these plants tells a story of service, sacrifice, and remembrance. As we gather for our commemorative celebration, let these living memorials remind us of the enduring spirit of our wartime heroes and the continued support for those who serve.
We invite all members of our community to visit our memorial gardens and reflect on the significance of these botanical tributes. Their beauty and resilience stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of our service men and women, past and present. Check out more details on each flower species : Commemorative Flora