Acacia aphylla click for larger image

With this freezing weather there are still many flowers to enjoy. The display of orchids inside the Visitors Information Centre are a joy to view. Many are from Asia. Outside the doors, in a pot, the Christmas Bells Blandfordia grandiflora, continue to display their attractive large red and yellow bell shaped flowers on long upright stems. On the south side of the doors Lomandra longifolia [Section 224] has long strappy tough leaves and dense spiny flower spikes on long flattened stems.

From Banks Walk, in a pot, Astroloma foliosum is a dense prostrate plant with small leaves brightened with vivid red tubular flowers tipped with yellow. Behind is Epacris sparsa with cream tubular flowers edging upright stems. On the other side of the road a mint bush, Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210] dense with many pink flowers, cascades down the rockface. Rounding the opposite corner a wattle, Acacia aphylla [Section 174] is an upright many branched shrub with leafless spiny cylindrical branches dotted with yellow fluffy flower balls. At the base of the large grass tree, Xanthorrhoea arborea [Section 60] with long arching grass skirt, Melaleuca ‘Pink Lace’ [Section 60] is a small shrub bearing lacy pink flowers. At the start of the bridge Olearia argophylla [Section 66] is a tall shrub with clusters of white aromatic flowers along its branches which arch over the bridge.

In front of the café building Banksia ‘Stumpy Gold’ [Section 131] is a dwarf spreading shrub prolific with golden flower spikes rising above the dense foliage. Epacris ‘Nectar Pink’ [Section 131] has attractive tubular pink flowers on long wandering stems. Another wattle, Acacia alata var. biglandulosa [Section 240] appears to have zig-zag shaped flattened stems with small triangular leaves and cream flower balls. Opposite, a small gum tree, Corymbia ficifolia ‘Summer Red’ [Section 240] continues to display its large clusters of red fluffy flowers atop a small upright trunk. In front of the Education Centre, Banksia ‘Giant Candles’ [Section 310] has extra long golden flower spikes on the large shrub.

Following the Main Path, a tea-tree, Leptospermum squarrosum [Section12] continues to bear its pretty pink petalled flowers among the foliage and Callistemon subulatus [Section 10] a neat rounded shrub, with short red bottlebrush-like flowers among its dense foliage. Continuing along this path, Dryandra quercifolia [Section 30] an open shrub with oak-like leaves, large yellow flower heads and yellow buds surrounded by dark fine bracts. Banksia integrifolia [Section 30] is a prostrate plant with cream cylindrical flower spikes rising above the foliage. There are many banksias edging this path.

Grevillea diminuta click for larger image

At the next road crossing, Hakea cycloptera [Section 24] is of medium size clad with pink-white lacy flowers. Return now, by the sealed road. Large shrub edging this road include Grevillea diminuta [Section 25] with rust red flower clusters dangling from the branches and Grevillea epicroca [Section 25] also dense, with powdery red dangling flowers. Banksia robur [Section 25] is an open shrub with large leathery leaves, juvenile slim flower spikes coloured green and mature flower spikes of what should be bottle green are now interestingly shaded black because of the frost. Across the road Banksia aemula [Section 6] is a large dense shrub displaying many cream flower spikes. At the end of this road Correa alba var. alba [Section 7] are smaller shrubs with silver edged leaves and cream four petalled flowers.

To follow the road downhill will lead to the café, so needed on these cold days…..