In Flower this Week

Golden wattles continue to light up the Gardens. Many other plants are now showing their wonderful colours and shapes. So this walk turns off the Main Walk where it crosses a sealed road. Most shrubs are large and mature. Grevillea brevifolia subsp. brevifolia [Section 27] has long branches from which its red flowers dangle. Grevillea shiressii [Section 25] is an ageing shrub with interesting green flowers with greyish-purple markings, almost concealed by the lance like leaves. Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 27] is a dense shrub with upright cylindrical yellow flower spikes while behind, a dwarf shrub with red toothbrush-like flowers of Grevillea tetragonoloba [Section 27] can be seen.

Further along this narrow path Grevillea rosmarinifolia sens. lat. [Section 27] stands upright with pale yellow flowers. Grevillea ‘Forest Rambler’ [Section 25] is a dense low spreading shrub with pale yellow-pink flower clusters. At the end of this path, Banksia integrifolia var. collina [Section 27] has many yellow flower spikes among the dark foliage of this low spreading tree. Around this corner the False sarsaparilla, Hardenbergia violacea [Section 27,28] twines its trailing stems with violet pea flowers along the ground and shrubs alike.

Leucopogon lanceolatus - click for larger image

Across the intersection the corner is clad with Micromyrtus ciliata [Section 112] low plants with arching branches clad with tiny white flowers. Edging this road Boronia latipinna [Section 112] is yet a very small shrub clad with pink four petalled flowers. Behind, Philotheca myoporoides [Section 112] is clad with white five petalled flowers and many pink buds over this small attractive shrub. The bright yellow fluffy flower clusters over a small shrub is Phebalium squamulosum [Section 112].

Enter the Sydney Region Flora on the far side of the gully. Along this narrow path, Logania albiflora [Section 191K] is a neat upright shrub clad with narrow leaves and tiny white flowers. Epacris longiflora [Section 191F] twines its branches covered with narrow tubular red flowers with white mouth, seen along this path. Leucopogon lanceolatus [Section 191F] is of medium size, quite bushy with tiny bearded white flowers. Banksia oblongifolia [Section 191F] is an upright shrub displaying its greenish-yellow flower spikes. Acacia gordonii [Section 191F] is a low spreading shrub with bold golden flower balls mixing with the dark foliage. Hovea rosmarinifolia [Section 191F] is really startling with a coverage of violet pea-shaped flowers on this upright shrub.

Visit the Display Glass House with its Orchid Display seen through the back door. See Thelychiton tarberi x rex (Syn. Dendrobium tarberi x rex) somewhat similar to Dendrobium speciosum, both with long perfumed flower spikes of differing shades of cream. Thelychiton falcorostrus is a smaller orchid with small white flowers. Seen out here also is a pot of the tablelands greenhoods, Diplodium abruptum with green rosette leaves and erect flowers coloured dark green, white and reddish brown in a long graceful curve. Orchids are bursting into flower continuously over the next few weeks.

Such gardens… such flowers... such colour…

Barbara Daly.