In Flower this Week

Pelargonium rodneyanum - click for larger image

Come, see the floral wonders in the Rock Garden. Start at the base of the waterfall, taking the stairs in a clockwise direction where the Gymea Lily, Doryanthes excelsa [Section 15C], stands tall with tight buds on top awaiting warmer days. Banksia integrifolia var. integrifolia [Section 15C] is a prostrate dense shrub with lemon upright cylindrical flower spikes among many ageing spikes. Opposite, Banksia ‘Honeypots’ [Section 15D] bears honey-coloured flower spikes on a low shrub. Close by, Scaevola oxyclona [Section 15D] has sharp foliage and small pink fan-shaped flowers over the small shrub. Around the corner, Grevillea baueri-lanigera [Section 15C], crowded between rocks, is a blaze of cherry-red spider-like flowers. Hybanthus floribundus subsp. adpressus [Section 15D] is sprinkled with tiny white flowers. Close to the stream Pityrodia teckiana [Section 15D] is another small shrub bearing soft pink–white bugle shaped flowers, while edging the stream Pelargonium rodneyanum [Section 15Q] is a small plant displaying its bright magenta geranium-like flowers.

Emu Bush, Eremophila warnesii [Section 15F], is an odd looking plant with thick branches, half densely covered with hairy leaves and few purple bugle flowers peeping through. Nearby a grouping of very small prostrate plants, Lechenaultia formosa [Section 15F] are coloured with red flowers. In the centre of this garden, another Emu Bush, Eremophila maculata var. brevifolia [Section 15F] is prolific with claret-coloured bugle-shaped flowers.

Opposite, Allocasuarina rigida subsp. rigida [Section 15A] is a dense upright shrub, so handsome with its coat of rust coloured male flowers. Also eyecatching is Grevillea lanigera [Section 15W], a prostrate plant covered with pink spider flowers, draping the slope. Edging the stairs Plectranthus argentatus [Section 15A] is a tall herb attractive with long spikes of tiny bluish flowers.

Lechenaultia formosa - click for larger image

Along the top road Dampiera sylvestris [Section 15H] bears blue flowers on upright stems. Olearia astroloba [Section 15H] has many mauve daisy-like flowers on top of the upright plant. Beside it is Cryptandra sp. [Section 15H] showered with small clusters of white flowers and overlooked by Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia [Section 15H], an upright shrub with red flowers and many prominent pale green calyces seen after the flower has dropped.

Take the narrow path down to view Hakea clavata [Section 15P] a shrub with long wandering branches, sharp pointed club-like leaves and pink flower heads. Isopogon cuneatus [Section 15P] is a dense upright shrub with developing large showy pinkish mauve flower heads. Towards the bottom of the stairs, Correa pulchella ‘Pink Mist’ [Section 15S] is an upright shrub with pendent tubular flowers; Baeckea crassifolia [Section 15S] is pretty with its tiny pink flowers over a small shrub; and Thryptomene denticulata [Section 15S] presents tiny pink flowers covering the low lateral branches. Throughout this area the bright yellow straw flowers, Xerochrysum sp. [Section 15] brighten many a spot.

Not in the Rock Garden but following the upper road to the edge of the Rainforest, a tall dense Lilly-pilly, Acmena smithii [Section 40] is now splendid with a covering of pink fruits.

Always another flower around the corner…

Barbara Daly.