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

Beside the stairs towards the Visitor Centre the Plunkett Mallee, Eucalyptus curtisii [Section 221], has large clusters of fluffy cream flowers decorating this small tree. Australia's own rhododendron, Rhododendron lochiae, with lovely red trumpet flowers, is one of many flowers in the pots outside this centre. However this walk is along the Main Path, commencing at the end of the Café building.

Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Purple Pride' [Section 12] is a small dainty shrub with dark-centred purple open flowers. Nearby, Melaleuca steedmanii [Section 12] is brilliant with dark red bottlebrush flowers. Kunzea ericoides [Section 11] has a dense covering of small white flowers invaded by cantharid beetles with orange extremities. Melaleuca fulgens 'Hot Pink' [Section 10], at the intersection, shows off its warm pink bottlebrush flower spikes. An assortment of kangaroo paws of varying colours includes Anigozanthos 'Pink Joey' [Section 8] with soft pink 'paw' flowers on short stems and the taller Anigozanthos 'Bush Glow' [Section 8] with flowers glowing yellow. Further along the path, in front of the double seats, Grevillea 'Poorinda Adoring' [Section 26] is bright with orange-red spider flowers over a small shrub. Behind, Grevillea aspleniifolia [Section 26] is quite interesting for this low-growing shrub has long lateral branches with long narrow leaves and pink toothbrush flowers.

Along the path weaving through the Sydney Region Flora, Scaevola ramosissima var. ramosissima [Section 191] is a ground-hugging plant with stems bearing large purple fan-flowers. Tetratheca thymifolia [Section 191] is low and dense, dotted with down-turned white flowers. Baeckea sp. [Section 191] is of medium size with arching branches of small snowy flowers. Over the curved wall the Climbing Guinea Flower, Hibbertia scandens [Section 191], has large yellow flowers and sends its dense trailers towards the stream where crimson rosellas are bathing and a family of choughs are chortling. Along the path Boronia microphylla [Section 191] is covered with deep pink buds, now exploding into pale pink open flowers. At the top of the walk, Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthi 'Federation Star' [Section 191], with velvety daisy-like flowers mingle with the ever so lovely Christmas Bells, Blandfordia grandiflora [Section 191] with glowing red bell-shaped flowers tipped with yellow on upright stems. Hakea teretifolia [Section 191] has dense clusters of white, perfumed flowers.

The path then continues through the pleasant Eucalypt Lawn to the Rock Garden, bursting with flowers, including Dampiera linearis [Section 15R] with blue flowers on upright stems and Dampiera diversifolia [Section 15R] with deeper blue flowers over a dense ground cover.

Admire the Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis [Section 110] in its safe enclosure. Then on to the cooler Rainforest, where a Blueberry Ash, Elaeocarpus reticulatus [Section 148] has small frilly white bell flowers dangling from this small tree and the Victorian Christmas Bush, Prostanthera lasianthos [Section 148], is sprayed with snowy flowers.

Seasons Greetings to all…

Barbara Daly.