In Flower this Week

Scaevola phlebopetala click for larger image

Outside the Visitor Information Centre doors the colourful flowers in pots include fan flower, Scaevola phlebopetala with deep purple flowers. At the far end of Banks Walk, also in a pot, Scaevola albida, dense with smaller mauve fan flowers. In the centre is Teucrium racemosum with white flowers amid its grey-green leaves. Edging the walk kangaroo paw flowers are fading but the yellow open flowers of Hibbertia vestita [Section 210] a small mounded plant, are bright. The cerise flowers of Pelargonium rodneyanum [Section 174] are also bright.

This week’s walk follows the road beside the far side of the Rainforest. The first almost concealed shrub opposite the café gates is the Lolly Bush, Clerodendrum floribundum var. attenuatum [Section 125], a tall shrub with arching branches. The white flowers have been replaced with decorative black fruits surrounded by dull red calyces. A corner is carpeted with Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’ [Section 124] with many toothbrush like deep red flowers. A bottlebrush, Callistemon viminalis ‘Howie’s Fire Glow’ [Section 124] a tall dense shrub clad with red flowers. Grevillea ‘Goldfever’ [Section 124] is a small dense spreading shrub displaying its apricot coloured terminal flowers.

At the top corner of the Brittlegum Lawn Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 109] is laden with flower spikes of all ages from almost green pencil thin to larger green with gold colouring to almost mature golden cylindrical flower spikes. Further along, behind the tables, Hibiscus pedunculatus [Section 109] has large pink flowers which opens in sunshine, over this open shrub while Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ [Section 109] is low and spreading with numerous terminal red-cream flowers. Opposite the lawns in the rainforest, Hibiscus divaricatus [Section 114] has large yellow flowers.

The triangle garden contains many kangaroo paws, Anigozanthos sp. [Section 17] with fading yellow or red ‘paw’ flowers. Edging the garden are Brachyscome ‘Roulette’ [Section 17] with small daisy-like mauve-pink flowers over the dwarf plants. Around the corner, the prostrate Hemiandra pungens [Section 17] has pink flowers along its mostly trailing stems. Opposite the lower edge of this garden Callistemon viminalis [Section 78] is a large dense shrub covered in profusion with its red bottlebrush flowers while edging the rainforest Callistemon montanus [Section 104] leaning towards the road, has red dusted with gold flowers. Also edging the road are teatrees, Leptospermum amboinense [Section 104/140] medium, dense shrubs clad with small white petalled flowers. Opposite are few Crowea ‘Festival’ [Section 123] shrubs, pink with star-shaped flowers. Behind is Eucryphia wilkiei [Section 123] of medium size with a profusion of cream cup- shaped flowers. Edging the rainforest, with branches arching over the road, Commersonia fraseri [Section 140] with soft felt-like foliage and terminal clusters of tiny white flowers.

Clerodendrum floribundum var. attenuatum click for larger image

Take next path up stairs to right where Banksia speciosa [Section 36] with long branches clad with long narrow indented leaves, many dark spent flower spikes and few small lemon flower spikes. Along this upper path Banksia media [Section 36] is low and spreading. The shrub is dense and clad with many flower spikes from juvenile rust-green to bronze to a mustard colour… all so attractive. Beside the covered shelter, the Silver Backed banksia, Banksia marginata [Section 36] is a tall dense shrub well covered with short cream-yellow flower spikes. In front of the shelter an emu-bush, Eremophila glabra var. glabra [Section 121] is an upright shrub with grey-blue foliage with long red tubular flowers.

Returning, follow the zig-zag path down to the Rock Garden with its many treasures enjoying the many waterdragons sunning on the rocks or footpaths.

So much to enjoy in these Gardens … Barbara Daly.