Eucalyptus ficifolia click for larger image

The orchid display inside the Visitors Information Centre is colourful and so interesting. Outside the doors of this centre the Rhododendron viriosum is such a sight for it is laden with its red funnel shaped flowers. Among other flowers edging Banks Walk is Eucalyptus ficifolia [Section 210] brilliant with a coverage of fluffy red flower clusters and buds. This walk however following the Main Path, wanders through areas of lovely gum trees, the Sydney Basin flora, the Rock Garden and the cool Rainforest along which a selection of flowers is listed.

Starting at the far end of the café building, a scattering of Melaleuca fulgens ‘Hot Pink’ [Section 10] are all small open shrubs with deep pink bottlebrush-like flowers. Passing the group of grass trees, Xanthorrhoea glauca [Section 8] where, in the distance a combination of yellow and dusky red kangaroo paws are obvious. At the end of this section matt green Anigozanthos flavidus [Section 8] mingle with the dusky red ‘paw’ flowers, all on long upright stems. Opposite, in the garden of daisies, Lemon Beauty-heads, Calocephalus citreus [Section 303] are dwarf herbs profuse with small oblong lemon buds. Behind the next seat Grevillea diminuta [Section 30] has dangling rust coloured flower spikes over the neat shrub. Beside is Babingtonia ‘Howie’s Feathertips’[Section 30] with arching branches clad with tiny white petalled flowers. Stenocarpus angustifolius [Section 30] is clad with clusters of lemon flowers. It is seen in different areas of the gardens. Grevillea ‘Coconut Ice’ [Section 30] is a straggly low shrub often with its attractive large terminal shades of pink flowers.

At the next intersection Grevillea sericea subsp. sericea [Section 27] is an open shrub with white spider-like flowers while across the road, Grevillea sericea [Section 26] has pink flowers. Numerous grevilleas including are seen from this path including Grevillea bipinnatifida [Section 24], a low spreading shrub with divided leaves and large red toothbrush-like flower. Cross the road Banksia serrata [Section 112] is tall, dense and with many grey-cream coloured flower spikes, opposite a group of Crowea exalata [Section 112, 191h], small shrubs clad with pink star flowers. Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ [Section 112] a small shrub bright with tubular red and yellow flowers is selected to commemorate Canberra’s centenary, 1913-2013.

The path then wanders through the Sydney Region where Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa [Section 191s] is tall and clad with white daisy-like flowers. Hibiscus heterophylus [Section 191s] also tall exposing its large white, with a splash of pink, flowers. Prostanthera porcata [Section 191s,191u] bears its pink tubular flowers on an upright open shrub while Hibbertia pedunculata [Section 191j] has bright yellow flowers to decorate the groundcover. At the exit Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthi [Section 191u] displays its flannel-like white petalled flowers above the grey foliage.

Lythrum salicaria click for larger image

Crossing the Eucalyptus Lawn past a wattle, Acacia fulva [Section 18] a small tree prolific with yellow flower balls, down to the Rock Garden, always a source of interesting flowers. Edging the path, Blueberry Creeper, Sollya heterophylla [Section 15r], a dense plant colourful with blue bell-shaped flowers, Lythrum salicaria [Section 15q] with its spikes of pink flowers about the pools in front of the waterfall, and an emubush, Eremophila christopheri [Section 15v], an open upright shrub bearing mauve tubular flowers. Pass Banksia aemula [Section 15c] with many grey-cream flower spikes on the large shrub, then to the Rainforest, so cool with many shades of green and down the ramp with another gaze at Eucalyptus ficifolia [Section 210] so dazzling red to the Banks Walk.

So many more flowers to enjoy… Barbara Daly.