In Flower this Week

Grevillea treueriana - click for larger image

Winter has arrived, chilly breezes, sunny days and many bird calls with an assortment of flowers so come and wander along the Main Path starting at the end of the Café building where a wattle, Acacia alata [Section 240] has interesting flat zig-zag branches to which cream fluffy flower balls are attached. It is quite a dense shrub of medium size. Wander along this path edged with an array of green shrubs, and a bed of emu-bushes including Eremophila goodwinii [Section 302] with large mauve bugle shaped flowers over the open shrub.

Passing the garden of daisies Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 30] (one of many banksias seen along the path) is a large shrub with spreading branches alight with golden cylindrical upright flower spikes. Mt Finke Grevillea, Grevillea treueriana [Section 30] is an upright, well manicured small plant with lateral branches adorned with long spiky foliage and brilliant red toothbrush-like flowers. Opposite, the Oak-leaved Dryandra, Dryandra quercifolia [Section 30] is a low dense shrub with yet few large rounded yellow flower heads. Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 30] has many shades of gold flower spikes over this dwarf spreading plant. Almost opposite is Banksia integrifolia var. integrifolia [Section 30] has many cream flower spikes above this prostrate plant. Towards the cross-roads, Buckinghamia celsissima [Section 27] has been in flower for at least two months. The attractive long pendulous cream flower spikes are seen on the lateral branches of this upright shrub. Across the road Hakea cycloptera [Section 24] has open flowers scattered over the upright shrub while the orange-red pendent flower clusters of Grevillea dielsiana [Section 26] can be seen above other shrubs. Yet small, the prostrate form of Crowea exalata [Section 112] is well covered with its pink star flowers.

Hakea laurina - click for larger image

Following the winding path through the Sydney Region Gully, Bursaria spinosa var. spinosa [Section 191S] seen in the gully, is tall and clad with clusters of white flowers. Scaevola aemula [Section 191H] has purple fan-shaped flowers along its prostrate stems. Hibbertia vestita [Section 191H] is also prostrate, small and covered with yellow flowers.

Epacris calvertiana var. calvertiana [Section 191E] has clusters of cream tube shaped flowers towards the wiry branch terminals behind which is Triplarina imbricata [Section 191E] with somewhat pendulous branches well covered with tiny white flowers. The display garden includes Crowea saligna [Section 191U], looking splendid with large pink star flowers.

Cross the Eucalypt Lawn down to a group of hakeas, including Hakea drupacea [Section 20] a tall shrub crowned with many small white globular perfumed flowers. Opposite is the Pincushion Hakea, Hakea laurina [Section 20] tall and spreading and laden with many larger globular cream to maroon flower heads with protruding cream styles.

The Rock Garden is an area worth exploring. Edging the Main Path Xerochrysum bracteatum [Section 4, 15R] is welcoming with its brilliant yellow straw flowers. Myoporum floribundum [Section 15R] bears tiny white flowers and narrow drooping leaves along its lateral branches. Thryptomene denticulata [Section 15S] is attractive with tiny pink flowers covering the low lateral branches.

The Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis [Section 110] stands erect in its green cage and so to the Rainforest Gully, so green so cool and attractive. The ramp too has flowers which include the bright mauve flowers of Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210].

Always another flower to admire … Barbara Daly.