In Flower This Week

12 July 2002

There are many interesting plants now in flower in the Western Mallee section above the Nursery.  On the way, edging the Brittle Gum Lawn, Banksia speciosa var. speciosa [Section110] is a medium rounded shrub laden with upright cylindrical gold flower spikes ribbed with maroon styles. Edging the Rainforest Gully, Acronychia littoralis [Section 114] has clusters of small yellow star flowers among the glossy green leaves.  Acmena smithii [Section 140] a Lilly Pilly, is quite dense, also with dark shiny leaves among which is an abundance of small pink-purple fruits which followed the small fluffy flowers. Ground-covering plants seen edging the road near the Nursery include Grevillea lanigera [Section 34] with pink and cream spider flowers amid the dense foliage.  Chrysocephalum apiculatum [Section 34] is also dense with grey foliage and numerous small clusters of bright orange flowers. Brachyscome multifida ‘Break O Day’ [Section 34] has small mauve daisies brightening its soft green foliage.

Leaning over the opposite wall, Grevillea fulgens [Section 100] has deep red flowers over this sprawling plant.  Astartea sp. [Section 100] is a small upright shrub covered with pink buds beginning to mature to small white flowers. In another garden Olearia ramosissima [Section 41] is a dwarf plant enveloped with mauve, almost white daisies.

From the boardwalk through the Western Mallee plantings, plants include a Geraldton Wax plant, Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Eric John’ [Section 100] of medium height and just exploding from pink buds to sprays of deep pink flowers.  Opposite, Grevillea dielsiana [Section 100] suspends its pendent clusters of bright orange-red flowers from open branches and nearby Dampiera lanceolata var. lanceolata [Section 100] bears its deep blue flowers on its many upright, or collapsing stems.  Hypocalymma strictum subsp. longifolium [Section 100], is also a dwarf plant, interesting with pink frilly flowers along its stems.

At the curve, Grevillea maxwellii [Section 100] is a low spreading shrub with deep red pendent flowers while, rounding the corner. Grevillea centristigma [Section 100] is quite fascinating, with yellow to orange flowers almost concealed below the hairy leaves.  In the centre garden Banksia epica [Section 100] is a small spreading shrub with few green budding spikes and ochre coloured flower spikes dotted with dark styles.  Another banksia nearby is Banksia ornata [Section 100] having cream flower spikes dotted with grey styles.  In between Eremophila oppositifolia [Section 100] is a medium open shrub beautiful with the palest of pink curved tubular flowers.  Baeckea crassifolia is another dwarf shrub clad with pale pink flowers … a real gem.  Agonis marginata [Section 100] is a multi- branched upright shrub with terminal globular flower heads coloured white with maroon center.  At the end of the boardwalk, Pimelea ferruginea [Section 100] is small and upright with many terminal clusters of tiny pink flowers while opposite, the glow of the golden flower spikes of Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 103] over the large shrub is splendid.

Most certainly, a pleasant walk …                                                      Barbara Daly.