In Flower this Week

Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica - click for larger image

The walk this week begins just past the café [Section 131] in front of the Ellis Rowan Building. All of the plants in this bed were sourced from local ACT nurseries. The list can be obtained from the Visitors Centre. On the corner is a dwarf Banksia 'Stumpy Gold' with orange flower spikes. Then there is low growing Grevillea australis with white flowers, and taller Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica with scarlet flowers. The spectacular Acacia leprosa 'Scarlet Blaze' with orangey red flowers on arching stems is half way along the bed.

Grevillea iaspicula - click for larger image

Turn right towards the Crosbie Morrison Building. On the right [Section 140] is Hardenbergia 'Mini Haha' with brilliant purple flowers, and on the left [Section 240] with masses of tiny white flowers is Cryptandra sp. On the corner [Section 239] is Grevillea diminuta , with red flowers. It only grows in the Brindabella Range. Turn right beside the Crosbie Morrison Building [section 140]. Here is the rare Wee Jasper Grevillea Grevillea iaspicula, with green flowers and pinky red styles, at risk by grazing from domestic animals. Gossamer Wattle Acacia floribunda [Section 140] just coming into flower, with pale yellow spikes, and Blue Bush Acacia covenyi with masses of bright yellow balls. At the other end of the patio [Section 242] is Australia's floral emblem Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha , with bright yellow balls. Opposite the glass doors is the Leafless Rock Wattle Acacia aphylla , with single yellow balls, known only from a small area in the Darling Range near Perth.

Turn back towards the end of the Ellis Rowan Building. The small bed [Section 240] has the pink flowered rather straggly Geraldton Wax Chamaelaucium uncinatum and Acacia alata, with pale cream ball flowers and flattened green stems.

Micromyrtus ciliata - click for larger image

Continuing along the bitumen road, turn right into the wheel chair friendly garden [Section 143]. Here you will find Cryptandra aridicola with masses of small white flowers, Hybanthus floribundus subsp. floribundus with pale blue flowers, Philotheca difformis subsp. smithiana with star-like white flowers, Chamaelaucium ciliatum, with delicate white flowers, and the magnificent Banksia 'Giant Candles' with huge orange spikes.

Continuing along the bitumen road, on the left is Common Net Bush Calothamnus quadrifidus [Section 12] , with red flowers, and low growing Micromyrtus ciliata in late bud. The flowers will be white when they open, turning red as they age. Farther along is Peach Flowered Tea Tree Leptospermum squarrosum with pink flowers on old wood.

Turn left up a narrow path to get to [Section 25] and Swamp Banksia Banksia robur with brown flowers spikes, and Grevillea juniperina hybrid, with red flowers, a good spiky hedge plant.

Betty Wood