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

This walk follows the Main Path and crosses the bridge, which is a good place to stop and look down on to the tops of the treeferns growing in the Tasmanian Rainforest Gully. A little way past the Café is Eriostemon difformis [Section 131], a small shrub with red buds some of which have burst out into dainty white flowers. Melaleuca cuticularis [Section 10] has its trunk and branches covered in layers of papery bark and, in the bed opposite, Melaleuca linariifolia [Section 11] is covered in the same type of papery bark.

Lepidosperma effusum [Section 303] is a very large plant with flattened stems similar to strap-like leaves and its flowers are dark brown. A lovely ground cover plant, though not in flower yet, is Acacia dealbata ‘Kambah Carpet’ [Section 30], with its fine leaves draping themselves across the ground. Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 30] has a few orange flower spikes still attracting the birds. On the opposite side of the path is Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Canberra Gem’ [Section 30], with clusters of red flowers. Nearby, Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 30] is a well-named prostrate plant whose spikes are held on high like candles on a birthday cake. There are quite a few plants in flower in this area.

Banksia oblongifolia [Section 25], with its cylindrical, green-yellowish flowers on the old wood, certainly is attractive. Grevillea paniculata [Section 26] is covered in creamy-white coloured clusters of flowers making the plant very easily seen. Grevillea sp. aff. miqueliana [Section 26] has large clusters of red flowers well displayed at the end of its stalks and although Grevillea linearifolia [Section 26] is not quite out yet, its yellow buds certainly complement the bush. Wandering further, Phebalium stenophyllum [Section 112] isn’t a very large plant but its bright yellow flowers certainly make up for its lack of size and Hardenbergia violacia [Section 112] is covered in purple pea flowers taking up the whole of the corner of the garden bed.

Continue along the path to where there are a few plants of Astrolasia asteriscophora [Section 191h], small plants making themselves prominent with their lemon yellow flowers. There are four plants of the small Grevillea baueri subsp. asperula [Section 191s] and their bright red flowers stand out well. Further on can be seen lots of plants of Allocasuarina nana [Section 191p], all covered in a reddish brown haze of tiny flowers. A very pleasant sight. Next is a tiny plant of Epacris reclinata [Section 191m], its stems as well as its flowers are all shades of pink. Not in flower yet, but looking promising with lots of buds like grubby white cotton wool, is Melaleuca capitata [Section 191e]. Dillwynia retorta [Section 191 l] only one plant, but with lots of pea flowers of red and yellow creating its own show.

Return via the Eucalypt Lawn, a good place to have a snack, for the children to have a romp and to compare the trunks of all the different Eucalyptus trees growing there.

Enjoy! Naomi Bell