In Flower this Week

This is a longer walk for the energetic with ample time. It is in the upper reaches where plants are older and tiny birds almost sit on one's shoulder.

On the way up Eucalyptus ‘Summer Beauty' [Section 210] yet small, displays it large soft open pink flowers. At the top of the Rainforest Gully, a slope of rhododendrons in flower include Rhododendron macgregoriae x lochiae [Section 62] with coral coloured bells and Rhododendron laetum [Section 62] with larger yellow bells, both in loose clusters. After crossing over the gully, banksias include Banksia media [Section 37] a low angulated shrub with large honey coloured flower spikes.

The main walk, now, is marked on the map. Cliff Bottlebrush, Callistemon comboyensis [Section 103] is a dense shrub with squat deep red bottlebrushes. Opposite, Auranticarpa rhombifolia [Section 96] is a slim tall shrub with brilliant orange fruits in clusters among the shiny green foliage. A series of correas, including Correa ‘Western Pink Star' [Section 82] with pale pink and white tube flowers over the low spreading plant and Correa backhousiana [Section 82], large and dense with many cream tube flowers hanging from the branches, edge this road. An emu bush, Eremophila bowmanii var. latifolia [Section 97] has lavender bugle flowers amid the soft grey foliage.

Callistemon 'White Anzac' - click for larger image

Following the narrow path to the left, a Mountain Devil, so named because of its devil-shaped fruit, Lambertia formosa [Section 75] displays its clusters of unique pink flower tubes. Hakea suaveolens [Section 75] has old long wandering limbs terminating with long needle foliage and loosely arranged ovoid pink-tipped cream perfumed flowers. Banksia paludosa [Section 75] thrives among the hakeas bearing lemon flower spikes, especially about the base of the plant. On the rise opposite are groups of dense shrubs, Crowea saligna [Section 150] splendid with rich pink star flowers.

Now, take the path to the right passing below the branches of the Native cherry, Exocarpos cupressiformis [Section 75]. Just past a tall willowy wattle, Acacia saliciformis [Section 77] well covered with cream and ageing tan flower balls, Acacia jibberdingensis [Section 77], after the tiny town Jibberding,WA, is yet a small upright tree picturesque with many rods of yellow fluffy balls. Opposite the seat, Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 75] is large and dense and brilliant with gold, almost red flower spikes. Other well perfumed wattles flowering in the next section include Acacia beckleri [Section 77], an upright medium shrub with large yellow flower balls in terminal sprays and Acacia iteaphylla [Section 77], a taller shrub with soft fluffy flower balls.

Returning along this road flowering plants include Wild Parsley , Lomandra silaifolia [Section75] with many upright branches and long sprays of cream flowers. Callistemon citrinus ‘White Anzac' [Section 204] still has few white bottlebrush flowers. (Another shrub with fewer mature flowers can be seen near the fountain [Section 30]) Behind is Callistemon viminalis ‘Prolific' [Section 204] with red bottlebrushes on willowy branches.

So many flowers omitted … such a pleasant walk …

Barbara Daly.