In Flower this Week

Alloxylon pinnatum - click for larger image

Because of these lovely summery days this walk will follow the Rainforest Gully, to start. Firstly, see the lily-like white flowers on long stems surrounded by flax-like leaves of Dietes robinsonia [Section 210] edging Banks Walk. Opposite, Actinotus ‘Starbright’ [Section 172] display the smaller white flannel flowers while Banksia serrata [Section 174] seen behind Joseph Banks sculpture reveal numerous juvenile flower spikes.

At the base of the ramp Goodenia macmillanii [Section 210] extends its stems with soft pink flowers towards the footpath. Turn to the left at the top of this ramp. See the bright orange-red bell shaped flowers on terminal spikes of Rhododendron laetum [Section 210]. Follow the boardwalk to view the Dorrigo waratah, Alloxylon pinnatum [Section 144] with loose red flowers crowning the small tree. To view the Stream lily, Helmholtzia glaberrima [Section 125], take the stairs down to the stream following the boardwalk to the left where these dense tufted plants with large flax-like leaves are bearing pink tinted feathery flowers on upright stems.

Anigozanthos 'Bush Haze' - click for larger image

Take the upper path to view the beauty of the Native Elderberry, Cuttsia viburnea [Sectiion 64] displaying large upright clusters of daisy-like flowers mixing with the dark green foliage. At the top level of the Rainforest Gully where a group of large grass trees, Xanthorrhoea glauca [Section 62] display their dense whirling grass skirts, the slope is covered orange-red with the bell-like flowers of Rhododendron laetum x lochiae [Section 62] and Rhododendron macgregoriae x lochiae. [Section 62]… now that’s some picture! Edging the path to the stream, Banana Bush, Tabernaemontana pandacaqui [Section 62] is a neat upright shrub with sweet-scented white flowers (orange banana-shaped fruits will, hopefully, follow). Cordyline stricta [Section 62] is a slim upright palm-like plant with long stems. The tiny flowers are deep purple along long strands.

Cross over the gully to a triangle garden where Alyogyne ‘Westcoast Gem’ [Section 17] is a spreading shrub crowned with deep purple hibiscus flowers. Kangaroo Paws are quite picturesque and include Anigozanthos flavidus [Section 17] with ‘paw’ flowers shaded a flat green, Anigozanthos ‘Bush Haze’ [Section 17] shaded green and yellow, Anigozanthos ‘Bush Noon’ [Section 17] shaded orange-green and Anigozanthos ‘Ruby’ [Section 17], all flowers on long bare stems. Across the road, Silky Oak, Grevillea robusta [Section 78] is a tall tree well covered with divided leaves and so colourful with gold toothbrush-like flowers, in profusion (like a well lit Christmas tree).

Edging the Brittlegum Lawn, Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ [Section 109] is a small dense shrub bright with terminal red-yellow flower clusters. Leptospermum sp. [Section 127] is covered with cherry-red open petalled flowers while, edging the Ellis Rowan Garden in front of the Café building, flowers include Melaleuca thymifolia [Section 131], a small open plant with branches enveloped with pink lacey flowers. The Deua Flame, Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica [Section 131] continues to bear pendent reddish flower spikes while below the Café, across the lawn Melaleuca ‘Sea Foam’ [Section 243] is covered with white feathery flowers.

Longer walk … so much to admire … Barbara Daly.