Calytrix leschenaultii click for larger image

These warmer days brings extra colour to the gardens, especially the golden wattles and the deep purple of the false sarsaparilla vine. This walk is a longer one, pleasant and there is always another colourful flower to enjoy.

Edging Banks Walk Philotheca myoporoides subsp. acuta [Section 172] is a rounded shrub well clad with white starry flowers while opposite, the Snowy River Wattle, Acacia boormanii [Section 210] continues to be showy with its dense coverage of soft yellow flowers. On a higher level, Hakea ‘Winter Burgundy’ [Section 210] is a tall shrub crowned with bright pink globular flowers which surround the stems. The urns in front of the Joseph Banks sculpture contain flowers which include Calytrix glutinosa, a small shrub clad with white, pink-tinted star flowers, and Calytrix leschenaultii with smaller flowers coloured purple. High on the bank, surrounding a tree trunk, Philotheca myoporoides subsp. myoporoides [Section 210] is bright with deep pink star-shaped flowers, while almost opposite there are large patches of white straw flowers, Rhodanthe anthemoides [Section 174].

Continue along this path edging the Rainforest Gully, opposite which is Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 128], a shrub of medium size bearing yellow cylindrical upright flower spikes ribbed with red stamens. Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Rosy Posy’ [Section 128], is a small dense shrub with pine-like leaves, profuse with pendular clusters of lovely red flowers. Sharing the same area is the native sarsaparilla vine, Hardenbergia violacea [Section 126 and elsewhere], its stems clad with purple pea-shaped flowers, all creeping along the ground. Edging the Rainforest Gully [Section 125] are Dendrobium speciosum, large rock orchids with thick leathery leaves, and now with many long spikes of green buds which will open to lovely cream flowers. Further along, Grevillea ‘Goldfever’ [Section 124] is a small shrub with apricot-coloured spider flowers amid its foliage. The small triangular garden contains a Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium ‘Cascade Brook’ [Section 17] with a profusion of waxy pink flowers. Another corner contains Dampiera salahae [Section 17], a small plant with soft blue flowers edging the ground-hugging stems. Towards the next corner another wax plant, Chamelaucium ciliatum [Section 17] a small many-branched shrub with many buds and small palest pink flowers. Opposite is Ranunculus collinus [Section 78] already with some metallic yellow ‘buttercup’ flowers. Further up this road, Banksia speciosa [Section 36] is a large spreading shrub with long deeply indented leaves and interesting pale green-grey flower spikes resembling acorns.

The next path to the right passes Hakea minyma [Section 36], a young upright shrub with branches clad mostly in clusters of orange-pink poker shaped flower spikes among the long narrow green leaves. Beside is Hakea francisiana [Section 36], a tall shrub with grey-green leaves and with brilliant red poker shaped flower spikes. At the far end of this path where the roots of a fallen tree are exposed, Grevillea bipinnatifida [Section 37] is a semi-prostrate spreading plant with large divided leaves and a few clusters of its red flowers. Crowded beside it is Grevillea sericea [Section 37], an upright spreading shrub with deep burgundy flower clusters. Grevillea ‘Pink Lady’ [Section 37] is a low spreading plant with prickly leaves and with many dusky pink flowers.

Grevillea sericea click for larger image

Cross the Eucalyptus Lawn to the junction of two roads in front of the toilet block, at the entry to the ‘TREE OF TREES’ display to view the diversity of the genus Acacia in Australia and how they evolved. This is a very interesting display and could take much time to absorb.

Back to the coffee shop see the beauty of, not gold, but orange-red flower balls of Acacia ‘Scarlet Blaze’ [Section 131], a willowy upright plant with flowers along the branches.

Such a time to stroll in these gardens … Barbara Daly.