Corea alba var. alba click for larger image

This walk firstly will concentrate on flowers along Banks Walk to the end of the Ellis Rowan garden. To start, the orchid display inside the Visitors Information Centre are colourful and varied, originating from Asian countries. On the far side of the entrance Correa alba var. alba [Section 221](1) is a neat rounded shrub with cream edged leaves and cream star-like flowers. Edging the downward path, Lomandra longifolia [Section 221](2) is a dense plant with stiff strappy leaves and spiky flattened stems clad with lemon perfumed flowers. Opposite, a vine, Pandorea jasminoides [Section 212](3) displays its dark centred pink flowers among the dense foliage. A pot outside the doors contains Scaevola ramosissima having bold pink fan-shaped flowers among its wiry stems. Other scaevolas seen along Banks Walk are Scaevola aemula [Section 174](4), a small dense plant clad with white centred purple flowers, Scaevola albida [Section 174](5) a low spreading plant with tiny pale mauve flowers and at the far end of this section, in a pot, Scaevola phlebopetala [Section 174] with prominent purple flowers. Beside the seat Hibbertia vestita [Section 174](6) is a dense groundcover bright with open yellow flowers while opposite, falling down the wall, a mint bush, Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210](7) is dense with a scattering of pink flowers. A branch arching above the path is that of Eucalyptus pumila [Section 210](8) which reveals its large clusters of frilly cream flowers among the green leaves. Opposite, at the corner, the small yellow and orange button-size flower clusters of Chrysocephalum semiamplexicaule [Section 174](9) blends in with Grevillea ‘Lady O’ [Section 174](10), small open shrubs with red pendular flowers.

Over the bridge and past the coffee shop, against the building, Chef’s Cap, Correa baeuerlenii [Section 131](11) is a shrub of medium size, dense with shiny foliage almost concealing its dangling green tube shaped flowers and many calyces which gives the plant its ‘chef’s cap’ name. Opposite, in this Ellis Rowan Garden, Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ [Section 131](12) has dangling reddish flowers among its dull green foliage. At the corner, Banksia ‘Stumpy Gold’ [Section 131](13) is a dwarf spreading shrub profuse with dull gold juvenile flower spikes….Throughout the gardens many banksias are now bearing their new flower spikes …. The corner of this garden has Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ [Section 240](14) small open shrubs decorated with attractive tubular red flowers with yellow mouth. … This plant has been selected to commemorate Canberra’s centenary, 1913-2013. The bright red tubular flowers with white mouth of Epacris longiflora [Section 131](15) seen among other foliage are prominent as are the soft pink tubular flowers of Epacris ‘Nectar Pink’ [Section 131](16). Opposite, Crowea ‘Cooper’s Hybrid’ [Section 240](17) makes a good hedge plant, is a compact shrub bearing pink star-shaped flowers. Callistemon viminalis [Section 310](18) is a tall shrub with deeply indented dark trunks and arching canopy bearing many dark red bottlebrush-like flowers.

Correa 'Canberra Bells' click for larger image

Follow the Main Path where, from a distance, Callistemon citrinus [Section 9](19) can be seen with a coverage of red bottlebrush flowers on the large shrub, pass the tall flower spikes of Gymea lily, Doryanthes excelsa [Section 30], view the dwarf Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 30](20) with a profusion of upright cylindrical golden flower spikes then take the right path around Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia [Section 30](21) a prostrate form with lemon flower spikes, pass Lambertia inermis [Section 27](22) with interesting floral arrangement on this large shrub. At the lower path, Banksia robur [Section 28](23) is a large dense shrub with large leathery leaves and a profusion of flower spikes of shades of grey, chocolate, cream and the juvenile bottle green flowers … some sight! Across the road is a meadow of Helichrysum rutidolepis [Section 29](24) a dense suckering plant with yellow button flower heads on upright stems, then returning on any path to the right.

Great autumn days … Barbara Daly.