Anigozanthos 'Rampaging Roy Slaven' click for larger image

It is the Botanic Gardens 40 th Anniversary and the gardens have exquisite flowers enjoyed from any path. This walk hopefully will include a selection of flowers of various colours and shapes, finishing at the ‘Sex and Death’ displays in the hothouse which includes … well, come and enjoy.

To start, view the orchid display in the Visitors Information Centre and also the orchids outside opposite the doors of the centre. Edging Banks Walk, Philotheca myoporoides subsp. acuta [Sections 172, 210] are medium size shrubs now white with star-shaped flowers. Chorizema cordatum [Section 174] has branches of orange-red pea shaped flowers creeping along the ground while opposite, the rock wall is well covered with the open yellow flowers of the Scrambling Guinea Flower, Hibbertia empetrifolia [Section 210] mixing with the bright purple pea-shaped flowers of the False Sarsaparilla, Hardenbergia violacea [Section 210]. A Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium ‘Cascade Jewel’ [Section 174] shows its pretty mottled pink flowers. Passing the café and the Ellis Rowan garden Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthos ‘Rampaging Roy Slaven’ [Section 131] has terminal red buds on its upright stems. At the end of this garden a waratah, Telopea speciosissima [Section 240] in a pot, displays its lovely red flower.

Take the path to the left to view Westringia longifolia [Section 119], dense shrubs clad with pale lavender flowers. Interesting to see the density of a vine, Pandorea pandorana [Section 117] now showing its cream tubular flowers, enveloping a tree trunk. Take the small path beside the Bottle Tree, Brachychiton rupestris [Section 302] with swollen bottle-like trunk, and at the corner an emu-bush, Eremophila maculata subsp. maculata [Section 302], with bright yellow tube-shaped flowers over an open shrub. Myoporum petiolatum [Section 302] is well covered with white open flowers over a medium size shrub while Myoporum bateae [Section 302] is a tall upright shrub with well arranged lateral branches clad with tiny pink flowers and with small drooping leaves.

Follow the Main Path to the left. Waratah, Telopea ‘Canberry Gem’ [Section 30] is a large shrub displaying its spectacular red flowers. Beside is Grevillea speciosa [Section 30] with vivid red flower clusters. Then there is Grevillea aquifolium [Section 30], a low spreading dense shrub with spiky holly-like foliage and short tooth-brush like dull red flowers. Opposite, Homoranthus flavescens [Section 30] is interesting for its layered branches clad with clusters of yellow flowers glistening with nectar. Drumstick, Isopogon anemonifolius [Section 25] is a yet small shrub, with divided leaves and terminal heads of yellow flowers on upright stems. Grevillea dimorpha [Section 25] is a small shrub brilliant with its rich red flowers.

Across the road, Isopogon formosus [Section 26] is an attractive shrub with rose-coloured flowers while Grevillea lavandulacea [Section 26] bears scarlet spider-like flowers among the green-grey foliage. Surrounding the seat is Grevillea ‘Bonfire’ [Section 24] a tall, dense shrub with divided leaves and curvaceous waxy red flower clusters. Grevillea dielsiana [Section 26] differs, for its dangling flowers are coloured orange-red.

Grevileea dielsiana click for larger image

Take the up-hill road. In the Sydney Sandstone verge a group of Helichrysum ‘HelpingHand’ [Section 191h] display their yellow-centred white straw flowers on upright stems. Pultenaea altissima [Section 191h] is a large dense spreading shrub with small yellow pea-shaped flowers in profusion. Eriostemon australasius [Section 191h] is so attractive with its profusion of pink star-like flowers over the low shrub. Follow the small path to the right at a group of grass-trees, Xanthorrhoea sp. [Section 191g]. Boronia pinnata [Section 191e] is clad with mottled pink star-like flowers. Across the Main Path there is a corner of Tetratheca thymifolia [Section 191j], a low, dense shrub pink with down-turned flowers. Follow this path and follow the signs to the ‘SEX and DEATH’ exhibition at the Display Glasshouse.

These Gardens, a place to enjoy … Barbara Daly.