In Flower This WeekA weekly news-sheet prepared by a Gardens volunteer.Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to garden bed 'Sections'. Plants in flower are in bold type. |
This walk explores the Sydney Region Gully which is such an interesting, tranquil section where flowers and birds prevail. On the way, along Banks Walk, a Geraldton Wax cultivar, Chamelaucium Jewel [Section 174], is an open upright shrub with pink waxy flowers while, rounding the corner, Guichenotia ledifolia [Section 174] is a small shrub with grey-green foliage and nodding pink bell-like flowers. Above Bottom Depot, Queensland Silver Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 126], is a small tree bearing golden flower balls amid the silver-grey leaves. Thryptomene saxicola Pink Lace [Section 10] is pretty with its low arching branches massed with tiny pink flowers.
Continue now to the Sydney Region Gully. Acacia terminalis [Section 191g] is a small spreading tree clad with cream flower balls. Closer to the stream, Bursaria spinosa var. spinosa [Section 191g] is an erect shrub with masses of white flowers. Before traversing the narrow path, view the plantings of Net Bush, Calothamnus quadrifidus [Section 194], with soft pine-like leaves and feathery red flowers in clusters resembling one-sided bottlebrushes. A group of tea-trees, Leptospermum squarrosum [Section 194], reveals lovely pink peach-blossom flowers on the lower branches of the upright shrubs.
Along the narrow path Epacris longifolia [Section 191f] is a low tangle of branches with red and white narrow tubular flowers dangling from its branches. Crowea exalata [Section 191k] displays its lovely pink star-like flowers over the medium size shrub while the powder pink trunk of the Smooth-barked Apple, Angophora costata [Section 191k], stands regally beside the path. The medium size shrub Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 191k] has gold cylindrical upright flower spikes ribbed with black styles and, past the descending steps, Lomatia silaifolia [Section 191j] is an open, erect shrub with interesting finely divided leaves and sprays of lacey cream flowers.
From the seat in front of the low open shrubs of Crowea saligna [Section 191f], with deep pink wax-like star flowers, the gully is dense with large tree-ferns, Dicksonia antarctica [Section 191], which conceal the stream where birds including Crimson and Eastern Rosellas splash in the water. Epacris pulchella [Section 191f] is small and wiry with branch ends wrapped in tiny white flowers.
Crossing the road, Acacia suaveolens [Section 191q] is a small open tree with narrow leaves and clusters of cream flowers. Boronia polygalifolia [Section 191t] is a small plant with prostrate branches of tiny pink star flowers. At the top end of the gully, Dracophyllum secundum [Section 191b] is a small shrub with spreading branches covered with lance-like leaves and terminating with clusters of pinkish-white tubular flowers which mingle with the powdery pink tubular flowers of Epacris reclinata [Section 191b]. Pass by the grove of Scribbly Gums, Eucalyptus rossii [Section 191a, l], and Brittle Gums, Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 191a, l] all with stately mottled white trunks, to see Hibbertia saligna [Section 191a] crowned with bright yellow open flowers over the rounded shrub at the exit of this lovely area.
Yet another grand area of the Gardens Barbara Daly.
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