In Flower this Week

Verticordia pennigera click for larger image

Admire the floral display along Banks Walk then wander up to the Rock Garden with interesting plants in flower. To arrive there follow the road on the far side of the Rainforest, turning right at the connection of the Main Path which will reach the waterfall. Take the stairs to the right beside Gymea Lily, Doryanthes excelsa [Section 15c] stands with its large strappy leaves and flower buds on very long stems. In front is Grevillea lanigera [Section 15c], a semiprostrate, dense plant bright with pink-cream buds.

Dampiera salahae [Section 15d], at the base of the direction pole, is a small prostrate plant with blue flowers. Edging the path, Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia [Section 15c] is dense with silver backed leaves and upright cylindrical lemon flower spikes. Opposite, Correa ‘Ivory Bells’ [Section 15d] is a dense rounded shrub profuse with pendent tubular flowers. Snug beside this shrub Banksia ‘Honeypots’ [Section 15d] has attractive honey coloured flower spikes. In front Adenanthos obovatus [Section 15d] is a small upright open shrub decorated with fine red tubular flowers. Chrysocephalum semiamplexicaule [Section 15d] has clusters of bright yellow and orange flower heads on long wavering stems.

Hibbertia serpyllifolia [Section 15f] is a small dense shrub edging the path, bright with yellow flowers. Behind is Verticordia pennigera [Section 15f] with a coverage of pink fluffy flower clusters over the small shrub. At the next corner the large spreading grasses forming tussocks, often called Bamboo Grass, is Eragrostis australasica [Section 15g]. The leaves are fine, dense and curly the upright stems with upper floral sprays.

Westringia glabra [Section 15a] at the base of the stairs, has pink flowers over this dense shrub. Edging the stairs, Plectanthrus graveolens [Section 15a] is an herbaceous plant with felt-like leaves and spikes of pale blue flowers. Opposite, Grevillea ‘Mason’s Hybrid’ [Section 15h] is a great old shrub with large lateral branches with terminal clusters of large pink and cream flowers. Over the road a cluster of bright yellow straw flowers, Xerochrysum bracteatum [Section 120], seen also scattered through the gardens.

Edging the top road Grevillea iaspicula [Section 15h] is a many branched dense upright shrub with green-cream-red flowers scattered among the foliage. Scaevola albida var. albida [Section 15h] is a low spreading plant clad with mauve fan shaped flowers. Dampiera sylvestris [Section 15h] has blue flowers peeping through other shrubs while, at the corner, Cryptandra sp. [Section 15h] is a small shrub, clad with tiny cream flowers.

Taking the left path between the grass trees, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii [Section 15,14] past Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia [Section 15 l] to view Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 15 l], a dwarf spreading shrub profuse with illuminated gold flower spikes. Beside is a dense groundcover, Muehlenbeckia axillaris [Section 15 l] with a scattering of tiny cream flowers.

Thryptomene denticulata click for larger image

The following plants can be seen from this downward path. An emubush, Eremophila christopheri [Section 15r] which is an upright open shrub with mauve bugle-shaped flowers while Eremophila bignoniiflora [Section 15r] displays its larger mauve tinted white flowers with spotted throat. At the lower corner Correa ‘Cane’s Hybrid’ [Section 15s] with pale lemon-red tube flowers over the dense rounded shrub Thryptomene denticulata [Section 15s] is a low shrub with long lateral branches clad with tiny pink flowers. Opposite the waterfall, Guichenotia ledifolia [Section 4] has a covering of mauve downturned cup-like flowers on this rounded shrub. The small garden included Eremophila dalyana [Section 15v] with pale pink tube shaped flowers among the fine grey foliage.

Such an interesting garden of rocks and flowers … Barbara Daly.