In Flower this Week

Banksias, correas and hakeas are flowering, grevilleas are bursting into flower and many others are flowering so come and view them all. Along Banks Walk Darwinia macrostegia ‘Mondurup Bell' [Section 174] is a small open shrub laden with red pendular buds which will mature to lovely red bells while Dampiera salahae [Section 174] is a small herbaceous plant blue with a coverage of many flowers. Following the marked path Grevillea ‘ Poorinda Queen' [Section 124] is a large shrub with apricot coloured spider flowers. Opposite Banksia spinulosa [Section 126] with fine foliage colours the shrub with upright cylindrical gold flower spikes. At the far end of this road, under the spectacular Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 10] Thryptomene ‘Pink Lace' [Section 10] colours its low lateral branches with tiny flowers. Almost opposite correas include the dwarf Correa reflexa ‘Maroonda Tricolor' [Section 119]. Its lovely dangling tubular flowers are coloured red, yellow and green.

Turning to the right opposite the Queensland Silver Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 119] a small tree laden with silver-grey leaves and brilliant golden fluffy flower balls, Emu bushes include Eremophila nivea [Section 302] an upright shrub bearing mauve bugle flowers amid its grey foliage. Banksia bauerii [Section 30] has large woolly greyish flower spikes in the base of its upright branches and Grevillea sp .[Section 30] sneaks its prostrate branches decked with small red toothbrush-like flowers over the rock edge. Opposite Dryandra quercifolia [Section 30] is yet small with rigid toothed leaves and large prominent yellow flowers. Banksia ‘Birthday Candles' [Section 30] is dwarf with spreading lateral branches alight with upright golden flower spikes. Grevillea humifusa [Section 25] is prostrate with long trailing stems clad with short red toothbrush flowers.

Hakea francisiana - click for larger image

Continue along the Main Path where Grevillea flexuosa [Section 26] is a large shrub with divided leaves and terminal yellow cigar shaped flower heads. Opposite, correas include Correa ‘Candy Pink' [Section 112] of medium size and prolific with deep pink, almost tubeless star flowers. To the left, before taking the left path with a large rock, and at the junction, Crowea saligna [Section 191H] is also prolific with pink star flowers. Edging the road, Actinotus forsythii [Section 191H] is a small spreading herb with prominent pink centred flower heads surrounded by white bracts on long bare stems.

Returning to the path now to the right then the small path to the right to view numerous remarkable hakeas – see how they present their flowers. There is Hakea orthorrhyncha var . filiformis [Section 21] with long bare branches on which its red flowers attach.

Later, Hakea verrucosa [Section 21] is small and well covered with open pink flowers. Sea urchin hakea, Hakea petiolaris [Section 22] is yet small and upright with large cream with dark center flower balls. Hakea francisiana [Section 20] has long arching branches with few terminal clusters of poker-like red flowers. Hakea obtusa [Section 20] grows its pink and white flowers massed along old wood behind the foliage, while Hakea laurina [Section 20] covers its tall shrub with deep maroon pinchushion-like flowers. Such remarkable plants!...
To return, follow the Main Path …

Flowers … such variety … such colour …

Barbara Daly.