In Flower This Week

21 March 2003

Edging the ramp from Banks Walk, Artanema fimbriatum [Section 210], with blue and white bugle flowers, is close to the taller Eremophila ‘Murchison Magic’ [Section 210], bearing illuminating orange tubular flowers amid the soft grey foliage. Hemigenia pungens [Section 210], across the path, is a prostrate plant with pink flowers along the lateral branches. Banksia speciosa var. speciosa [Section 210] is a large, dense shrub now developing its lovely gold cylindrical flower spikes. On the lower level the amazing Scaevola ‘New Blue’ [Section 174] continues to reveal its brilliant blue fan flowers while, in the crescent bed, Solanum sturtianum [Section 174] has vivid purple open flowers mixing with its green-grey foliage.

In front of the Café building Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 131] is dwarf and dense bearing many upright cylindrical gold flower spikes. Scaevola ‘Mauve Clusters’ [Section 131] is an ideal ground cover dotted with tiny mauve fan flowers. Behind, although still young, Grevillea ‘Coastal Glow’ [Section 131] has numerous cherry red toothbrush flowers on a long stem. A prostrate form of Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia [Section 240] displays its lemon flower spikes amid the silver-backed leaves. Close by a bottlebrush cultivar, Callistemon ‘Splendens’ [Section 240] is a medium shrub with lovely red flowers.

Banksia integrifolia subsp. rhyolitica - click for larger image

Edging the Paperbark Swamp, Grevillea diminuta [Section 178] dangles its fine rust-coloured flowers from all branches. Farther along, Callistemon citrinus ‘Austraflora Firebrand’ [Section 32] is bright with crimson bottlebrush flowers over the medium size shrub. Banksia aemula [Section 32] is a dense shrub with stout greenish flower spikes which fade to an interesting chocolate colour then to the spent grey spikes in which the charcoal fruits can be seen. Banksia conferta [Section 28] is a small tree with leaves arranged in whorls, many spent spikes and many pale yellow to brownish new flower spikes. Banksia ericifolia [Section 28] has larger rich orange flower spikes amid its short narrow leaves. Past the giant Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 27], Grevillea ‘Boongala Spinebill’ [Section 27] is semi-prostrate with narrow, toothed leaves and red toothbrush flowers. Banksia integrifolia subsp. compar [Section 27] has very different foliage from the prostrate subspecies mentioned above and greenish flower spikes.

Edging the Sydney Region Gully, Crowea saligna [Section 191H] displays its lovely pink star flowers through the open shrub and Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica [Section 191H] dangles its stylish burnt red flower clusters all over the shapely shrub. Growing in the bed near the Nursery entrance, Acacia linifolia [Section 44] is graceful with perfumed cream fluffy flower balls in sprays amid the fine foliage. Epacris longifolia [Section 44] is colourful with many fine tubular red and white flowers among the low straggly branches.

Time now to cross over to the far side of the Rainforest Gully to have a last look at the colourful rhododendrons which include Rhododendron lochiae x macgregoriae [Section 62], with a few clusters of lovely red bell-shaped flowers, and Rhododendron laetum [Section 62], radiant with a spray of larger vivid yellow bell-shaped flowers…well worth viewing.

Pleasant walking…pleasant environment…                                                        Barbara Daly.