In Flower this Week

Bursaria reevesii - click for larger image

A selection of flowers will be seen on this walk. It includes those brilliant orchids in the Display Glasshouse. From Banks’ Walk Eucalyptus ‘Summer Sun’ [Section 174] continues to bear large clusters of red fluffy flowers. Opposite, Hibbertia vestita [Section 210] bears cheery yellow open flowers on the semi-prostrate plant while above it a Mint Bush, Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210] is a larger shrub well covered with small lilac coloured flowers. At the corner Crowea ‘Festival’ [Section 174] bears many pink star flowers.

Bottlebrushes are flowering throughout the gardens and here, Callistemon ‘Howie’s Fire Glow’ [Section 124] has lovely red flowers over a dense high shrub. At the next corner Scaevola albida [Section 124] is a dense groundcover dotted with small mauve flowers.

Continuing up this road, an Emu Bush, Eremophila polyclada [Section 7] is an open shrub with large white bugle shaped flowers. Close to the Rock Garden which has many flowers, is a tall shrub, Bursaria reevesii [Section 4] well covered with large clusters of white flowers. In the wattle section some are flowering including Acacia subulata [Section 18] an upright slim shrub and Acacia parvipinnula [Section 18] a tall tree, both with perfumed yellow fluffy flower balls but with differing foliage.

Acacia parvipinnula - click for larger image

Crossing the Eucalypt Lawn to the Sydney Region Gully, the path is edged with Platysace clelandii [Section 191L] dense medium shrubs crowned with small clusters of tiny white flowers. Crowea saligna [Section 191U] is an open shrub displaying soft waxy pink star flowers. Senecio velleioides [Section 191D] has yellow daisy-like flowers atop upright stems. Take the path to the left to the Display Glasshouse which contains confiscated exotic orchards seized by the Australian Customs and given to the Australian National Botanic Gardens for research purposes.

On entering take the path in a clockwise direction. In front at above eye level the stunning yellow flower with a maroon centre is Cattleya sp. while below the smaller orchid coloured crimson with a white centre is a Dendrobium hybrid. The large lilac orchids seen in various areas on poles are Cattleya sp. while the display near the roof is an Eria sp. Near the door at the far end the orchid with long aerial roots and sprays of small yellow flowers with brownish markings is Vanda sp. The vine opposite with many cream clusters of white buds and flowers is a Hoya sp. Nearby, overlooking the fish pond with long arching strappy leaves and with a large bud on an upright stem is Crinum asiaticum, which should flower in a few days. Then, see the bright orange and yellow orchid attached to a pole above the pond. It is Dendrobium aggregatum. There are Catfish in the pond. Other orchids are there to admire but time now to continue the walk in a cooler environment.

Returning, take any path along the Sydney Gully and see the colourful corner with Scaevola ramosissima [Section 191H] a ground cover massed with purple fan shaped flowers; Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthi ‘Federation Stars’ [Section 191H] with lovely white flowers above its silvery foliage; and Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica ‘Deua Flame’ [Section 191H] a taller shrub with pendent clusters of red flowers.

Worth the walk … Barbara Daly.