Australian National Botanic Gardens

In Flower this Week

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

17 September 2004

Acacia 'Scarlet Blaze' - click for larger image

Ah...Spring!  New sights, sounds and smells as increasing numbers of plants begin flowering.  ‘In Flower This Week’ follows the main path in an anti-clockwise direction starting at the Visitor Information Centre.  Enjoy!

After a quick look at the colourful pot display outside the Visitor Centre, head along the main walkway.  The delicate deep mauve flowers of the native hibiscus, Alyogyne ‘Westcoast Gem’ [Section 210] look like they’re made out of tissue paper!  A little further on it’s hard to miss the stunning spider flowers of Grevillea ‘Flame’n’Beauty’ [Section 174].  With patience, you may be lucky enough to see a honeyeater or spinebill enjoying the sweet nectar.

While crossing the bridge over the Rain Forest Gully, look out for the fluffy cream flowers of the Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon [Section 66].  The beautiful timber from this tree is used in the production of fine furniture.  Just past the café, check out the striking purple pea flowers of Hardenbergia violacea ‘Mini Haha’ [Section 240].

The Ellis Rowan garden contains a magnificent array of plants with Epacris ‘Nectar Pink’ [Section 131] displaying huge numbers of white-tipped pink tubular flowers.  At the entrance to the Friends’ Lounge, be surprised at the red (yes, red!) flowers of Acacia leprosa ‘Scarlet Blaze’ [Section 131].

Syzygium wilsonii subsp. wilsonii' - click for larger image

As you continue on, look to your right and see the dazzling yellow/gold of the clump of Acacia covenyi wattles [Section 240].  Listen to the sound of the bees if you stand under these trees!  They are truly busy!

A little break from the commentary till you reach the Grevillea Section.  Look out for the carpet of Grevillea lanigera prostrate form [Section 25].  It’s worth taking a rest on the nearby bench at this point to listen to the chattering Crimson Rosellas up high in the white barked Brittle Gums dotted about this area.  Head on to the Sydney Region Flora section and stop at the first circular paved area.  If you like cool, mossy creeks, head down the steps along the mulch path.  Enjoy the fresh creek smells and feel the spongy moss and bumpy banksia bark.  Back to the main path…

The Display Glasshouse is open daily from 10am till 3pm.  To see some spectacular indoor beauties, follow the green signs to the Display Glasshouse…it’s the second one up.  As you enter this place of warmth and humidity head down to the far end and check out the magnificent flower clusters of the exotic Dendrobium thyrsiflorum from Thailand.  Just round the corner are the brilliant scarlet flowers of Syzygium wilsonii subsp. wilsonii.

Rejoin the main path and follow it through the Eucalypt Lawn and past the waterfall.  Feel the difference, notice the smells as you enter the Rainforest Gully.  As you exit this cool green place, look for the feathery flowers of the beautiful tall grass Austrostipa ramosissima [Section 210]. 

Sue Dowling