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

This is a pleasant walk through gardens of grevilleas, banksias, hakeas and acacias. Starting at the far end of the Cafe building, the Common Net Bush, Calothamnus quadrifidus [Section 12] spreads branches of soft fine leaves towards the path. The loose frilly flowers are bright red and are seen in clusters on old wood. The leisurely walk passes a corner of dwarf plants, Baeckea crassifolia [Section 29], covered with tiny dark centred, pale pink flowers. Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 28] is quite a large shrub brilliant with golden yellow cylindrical flower spikes.

Along the path, Grevillea lanigera [Section 27] has many pink spider flowers covering the dense ground-cover. Close to the upright trunk of Hakea sericea [Section 27] capped with arching branches covered with lacy white flowers, Grevillea ‘Adorning’ [Section 27] is a small, spreading shrub with many orange-red flowers. Sit awhile ... absorb the beauty of the Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 28] being a large shrub highlighted with many golden flower spikes and frequented by many honeyeaters. Around the corner the leaf litter is bright with deep purple pea flowers of the trailing Hardenbergia violacea [Section 27, 28]. Banksia integrifolia var. compar [Section 27] is a tall shrub with shiny silver backed leaves and lemon, dotted grey, flower spikes.

Turning uphill, Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 25] is illuminated with many bright yellow flower spikes over a neatly rounded shrub. Nearby Grevillea victoriae [Section 25] displays its pendent coppery red flowers from its low, lateral branches.

Next a section of hakeas with Hakea sericea [Section 21], an open woody shrub with an abundance of almond sized dark fruits and beautified with pink lacy flowers. Hakea bakeriana [Section 21] is a rounded shrub with fine, bright green foliage hiding, on old wood, large clusters of lovely pink flowers and large fruits. Hakea recurva [Section 20] has lacy cream flowers among sharp pointed curved leaves and nearby Hakea purpura [Section 30] is an open small shrub bright with red flowers on upright stems.

Across the road are many wattles which make a bright vista. Edging the road is Acacia flexifolia [Section 3], dense and low, dotted with small flower balls. Snowy River Wattle, Acacia boormanii [Section 3] is an upright, many branched shrub bright yellow with soft flower balls. Cootamundra Wattle, Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’ is a tall shrub clad with soft golden flower balls mixed with its blue-green foliage, the new growth is tipped purple. A prostrate form, Acacia baileyana [Section 3] with golden branches cascading over the wall is also seen in the car-park. In the Rock Garden, Grevillea lavandulacea [Section 15H] is picturesque with burgundy coloured flowers mixed with grey-green foliage. On a lower level, Micromyrtus ciliata [Section 15G] is a low spreading shrub clad with a mix of tiny white flowers and maroon buds ...really stunning ... Before returning downhill, explore other ‘lovelies’ in this section.

Good walking ... much to see. Barbara Daly.