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

To the left of the Visitor Centre doors the cluster of kangaroo paws includes Anigozanthos ‘Bush Ranger’ [Section 221], displaying maroon coloured ‘paw’ flowers on short stems, and Anigozanthos sp. [Section 221], displaying a blend of orange-red flowers on long stems. Descending the steps on the south side of the building, look for a patch of Cheiranthera sp., [Section 223] small plants with vivid violet flowers on upright stems. Olearia rhizomatica [Section 223] is a spreading plant with mauve daisy flowers. Around the corner, Leptospermum ‘Rhiannon’ [Section 222] spreads its lateral branches covered with large, green-centred pink flowers amid surrounding green foliage. Grevillea juniperina [Section 222] is a low growing plant here, with branches of red spider flowers draped over the retaining wall.

Prostanthera lasianthos [Section 172], Victorian Christmas Bush, is of medium size with a covering of white bugle flowers. At this corner, Dampiera diversifolia [Section 172] covers its ground hugging stems with deep blue flowers. Boronia repanda [Section 221], seen half way up the steps, is a dwarf plant covered with small pink star flowers.

Following the path past the bus stop, Pimelea ferruginea ‘Magenta Mist’ [Section 174] produces deep pinkish-purple flower heads over a neat rounded shrub. This colour blends well with the bright blue flowers on long, upright spikes of the iris-like plant, Orthrosanthus multiflorus [Section 174]. Above are the large white Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthi ‘Federation Star’ [Section 174]. In the half-moon shaped bed, amid the silver-grey foliage of Leucophyta brownii ‘Cape Le Grande'’[Section 60], the bright pink flowers of Scaevola 'Pink Perfection' [Section 60] on trailing stems and Dampiera sylvestris [Section 60] with upright stems of deep blue flowers, harmonise well. Boronia pulchella [Section 60] has deep magenta-coloured flowers scattered over the dwarf shrub.

Near the waterfall, Grevillea johnsonii x wilsonii [Section 210] is tall and colourful with rich red waxy curvaceous flowers. At the top of these steps are other tall open shrubs which are Astrotricha species. Astrotricha sp. nov. (Mount Boss) [Section 210] is tall and open with branches terminating in open sprays of small dark red flowers. Astrotricha sp. nov. (Nadgee) [Section 210] is similar with small white floral sprays.

Take time now to visit the Tasmanian Section which is vivid with mostly cream or white flowers. Ozothamnus species include Ozothamnus expansifolius [Section 231], a small shrub with clusters of tiny lemon flowers. Stylidium graminifolium [Section 230] is a small tufted plant with deep pink terminal flowers on upright stems. A snow daisy, Celmisia asteliifolia [Section 231], has large many-petalled flowers on upright stems. Chrysocephalum apiculatum sens. lat. [Section 230], a suckering prostrate plant, adds colour to this area …and look out for the Eastern Water Dragons, Physignathus lesuerii howittii, dozing on many a rock…

Always another flower to admire …

Barbara Daly