Australian National Botanic Gardens

In Flower this Week

A weekly news sheet prepared by a Gardens' volunteer.
Numbers in square brackets [] refer to garden bed Sections. Plants in flower are in bold type.

27 October 2006

Melaleuca fulgens 'Hot Pink' - click for larger image

As the Main Path weaves through a maze of colour this walk will focus on a selection of eye-catching flowers, commencing at the far end of the Café building. Wax cultivar Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Purple Pride’ [Section 12] continues to present its deep purple waxy flowers on an upright plant. Melaleuca fulgens ‘Hot Pink’ [Section 10] has bright bottlebrush-like flowers over this open woody shrub. An emu bush, Desert Pride, Eremophila mackinlayi subsp. spathulata [Section 302] is a low hairy plant with green-grey foliage and large purple bugle shaped flowers on the lateral branches while almost opposite, Bulbine glauca [Section 303,8] displays its yellow flowers on upright stems. Rice Flower, Ozothamnus diosmifolius [Section 303,191j] has pinkish flower heads over this many-branched upright shrub.

In front a bed of waratahs include Telopea ‘Canberry Gem’ [Section 30] presenting its red flower heads on long upright stems while the low, flat topped shrub, Homoranthus flavescens [Section 30] has sprays of aromatic yellow flowers. The path passes through an area of many grevilleas and numerous waratahs. Grevillea acanthifolia subsp.acanthifolia [Section 27] with pink toothbrush-like flowers on low lateral branches and, crossing the road, and on either side of the seat, Grevillea johnsonii x wilsonii [Section 27] has lovely waxy red curvaceous flowers amid the soft foliage of these dense shrubs. There too is Grevillea biternatasens.lat. [Section 24] clad with dainty white flowers. Telopea speciosissima [Section 26] stands tall with its renowned red flower head. Asterolasia sp. [Section 112] is a dwarf shrub clad with open pink petalled flowers. Behind, Eriostemon australasius [Section 112], best seen from the side road, is a small neat shrub covered in profusion with pink, almost opened star flowers. Crossing the road to the Sydney Region Gully, Scaevola aemula [Section 191h] is a prostrate spreading plant bright with deep blue fan-shaped flowers. Boronia pinnata [Section 191h,191d] is a low spreading shrub brilliant with pink buds opening to four- petalled star flowers. Isopogon anemonifolius [Section 191p] with divided leaves has terminal ‘drumstick’ yellow flower heads. At this cross-roads, Black-eyed Susan, Tetratheca thymifolia [Section 191j] is a low spreading plant well clad with pink downturned flowers. Opposite Telopea mongaensis x speciosissima [Section 191d] brightens the corner with its more open red flowers. Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthi ‘Federation Stars’ [Section 191l] is beginning to show its lovely soft white daisy-like flowers among the velvety grey foliage.

Actinotus helianthi - click for larger image

Cross the Eucalyptus Lawn to the rock Garden passing Hakea archaeoides [Section 20] a tall shrub with interesting long sprays of green flowers with red styles. The Rock Garden has many splendid flowers including Dampiera diversifolia [Section 15R] with deep blue flowers along its ground trailing stems and Gymea Lily, Doryanthes excelsa [Section 15C] which bears its large red flower heads on long upright stems.

Wander through the cooler Rainforest where orchids including Thelychiton kingianus [Section 104] with sprays of small pink flowers and Thelychiton speciosus [Section 65] with long sprays of cream flowers, both attached to rocks. Also flowering is Acradenia euodiiformis [Section 65] with sprays of small frilly cream perfumed flowers and Vesselowskya rubifolia [Section 148], a taller shrub with pendent cream tassel-like flowers. The ramp is also abundant with flowers.

Flowers, flowers, beautiful flowers … Barbara Daly.