In Flower This Week

15 August 2003

Because of the welcome rain this walk is shorter than usual. Flowers, however, will be as plentiful as always. Eremophila microtheca [Section 221] is dense with many thin branches along which its tubular lilac flowers are clustered. Edging Banks Walk Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 172, 174] is a dwarf shrub which continues to bear golden cylindrical flower spikes. A group of dwarf shrubs, Pimelea brachyphylla [Section 174], is covered with white globular clusters of flowers. In front Woollsia pungens [Section 174] continues to bear white flowers on the upright terminal branches.

Eremophila nivea [Section 174] is of medium size, very attractive with its smoky grey foliage complemented by mauve flowers. Grevillea dielsiana [Section 174] has orange-red flower clusters hanging amid the fine sharp divided foliage. At the end of the bed Guichenotia ledifolia [Section 174] is a dwarf shrub attractive with sprays of soft pink down-turned cup-shaped flowers. Around the corner Rhodanthe anthemoides [Section 174] has a dense covering of small white daisies over the low dense plant.

Towards the front of the Café building, Hardenbergia ‘Mini Haha’ [Section 240] is bearing the first of its deep purple sprays of pea-flowers over the dense climber. Walk below the arching branches of a wattle, Acacia covenyi [Section 240], covered with warm yellow flower balls. Grevillea diminuta [Section 239] is a dense shrub with small clusters of dark rust-coloured flowers dangling from the foliage. Opposite, Banksia ‘Giant Candles’ [Section 143] is a fairly open shrub renowned for its elongated golden flower spikes, while nearby one of the parents of this cultivar, Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 239], is a large spreading shrub bright with shorter golden flower spikes. Close to the back entrance to the Crosbie Morrison Building admire the stand of Eucalyptus caesia [Section 239] with dark flaking bark covering the trunks and white arching branches from which dangle the large red-pink flowers with yellow stamens.

Grevillea sericea - click for larger image

Returning, Crowea ‘Pink Blush’ [Section 240] is a small shrub prominent with deep pink buds and a few almost white open flowers. In a diagonal corner Hardenbergia violacea [Section 12] spreads its vines with its purple pea-flowers along the ground. Walking uphill towards the Rock Garden, Astartea ‘Winter Pink’ [Section 11], seen below the large white limbs of Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 11], continues to bear tiny pink flowers along the low arching branches.

Opposite, Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ [Section 119] is a medium rounded shrub with many scarlet flowers scattered over the dense foliage. The Queensland Silver Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 119], is a small tree brilliant with soft golden flower balls scattered amid the silver-grey foliage. Close by, Grevillea sericea [Section 119] is an upright open shrub with cerise spider flowers. Can’t miss Grevillea aspleniifolia [Section 117], an enormous low, spreading, dense shrub with long slim leaves and a profusion of pink toothbrush-like flowers. Cross the Brittle Gum Lawn to find Grevillea juniperina [Section 107,] a semi-prostrate dense shrub prolific with red spider flowers. Walking back downhill, Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 124] is a low shrub bright with yellow flower spikes.

Rain or sunshine, flowers are always plentiful…                                   Barbara Daly.