In Flower This Week A weekly news-sheet prepared by a Gardens volunteer  Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to garden bed 'Sections'.

On leaving the Visitor Centre turn right and wander down towards the first path on the left, where Acacia cognata ‘Green Mist’ [Section 210] is sitting right on the corner. Covered in buds, it is such a graceful plant. Here also, look up toward the top of the building where Acacia covenyi [Section 212], with its grey-green leaves and sprays of bright yellow balls, is almost in full flower.

Further on are several small shrubs of Grevillea rosmarinifolia [Section 182], with clusters of red and cream spider flowers at the end of the stems. Further still is Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 126], with silver grey foliage and golden ball-shaped flowers assuring us spring is on the way. A few steps away still is Banksia spinulosa [Section 126] with its yellow-orange spikes, some of which have just flowered while others have already changed to brown. Almost at the end of this bed is a slight bush, Grevillea ‘Poorinda Diadem’ [Section 126], with large yellow-apricot coloured flowers, typically in clusters. Turn left and you should be able to see the Bottle Tree, Brachychiton rupestre [Section 302]. Do stop and read the sign in front of it. Opposite is Casuarina cunninghamiana [Section 117], commonly known as the River Oak. This is a large tree and it also has an interesting sign.

A wander through the Rock Garden is always worthwhile, even when the Gardeners are working there. Podocarpus elatus [Section 79] is quite decorative with its purplish-black fruit. A little further on is a rare, dwarf mountain pine, Microstrobus fitzgeraldii [Section 105]. There is a seat on the right here. Wend your way to the triangular garden which has some small, slender but showy plants of Baeckea crassifolia [Section 17] covered in tiny, pale pink flowers. Close too, and forming quite a contrast, is Brachycome multifida ‘Break of Day’ [Section 17] with its blue daisy flowers. In the same bed is Epacris calvertiana var. calvertiana [Section 17], covered with lots of small, delightful cream tubular flowers.

Further up the hill are quite a few shrubs of Crowea ‘Festival’ [Section 123] covered in bright, pink, star-shaped flowers, thriving in spite of the Armillaria Root Rot that has damaged the Acacias and Eucalypts growing here. Further on is Grevillea anethifolia [Section 37] covered in a mass of small, cream buds. It should be spectacular in flower. Next to it is Banksia oblongifolia [Section 37] covered in small spikes of green-yellow. Banksia robur [Section 37] is well past its prime for flowering but attractive nevertheless. Then comes Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 37] with larger cones in various shades of orange, depending on when they came into flower. Next is Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 37], with its orange spikes covered in black styles. Then there is a grafted Western Australian species, Banksia media [Section 37], with its yellow cylindrical spikes. Wander back through either the Rainforest Gully or along the path, both are sure to be of interest.

Enjoy! Naomi Bell