Epacris sparsa click for larger image

This walk is short but laden with flowers. To start, the sheoak, Casuarina littoralis [Section 172] at the foot of the stairs has small dark red fluffy flowers with its nobbly fruits mixing with the foliage along the arching branches. Inside the Visitors Information Centre the magnificent display of orchids include the small yellow speckled orchid, Maxilloria picta from Argentine and Brazil, the large purple Lagelia anceps from Mexico and Honduras, the larger yellow Cattleya hybrid from South America and the colourful ground orchid, Long-tongued shell orchid from Victoria and S.A., Diplodium dolichochilum.

Along Banks Walk Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’[Section 172] is yet a small dwarf shrub bright with upright cylindrical golden flower spikes. In a pot, Astroloma foliosum is a dense dwarf many-branched shrub clad with fine foliage and bright with tiny green tipped red tube flowers. Behind is Epacris sparsa, an open many branched small shrub with cream tube shaped flowers dangling from its branches. Mondurup Bell, Darwinia macrostegia [Section 174] has interesting dark red pendular buds from its open branches while Woollsia pungens [Section 174] is an upright shrub covering the terminal branches with tiny white flowers. Beside is the Common heath, Epacris impressa [Section 174 of similar size with cherry pink tube shaped flowers falling in rows from the branches. Opposite, a mint bush, Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210] clad with mauve flowers on the shrub which falls down the rock wall. Close by, with branches leaning toward the path, Grevillea tripartita subsp. macrostylis [Section 210] has sharp holly-like leaves and cream-red flowers with long curved red style. Around the opposite corner a wattle, Acacia aphylla [Section 174] is a wiry shrub with many sparse branches dotted with yellow fluffy flower balls. Surrounded by shrubs, Thryptomene denticulata [Section 174](9) is a low shrub with long arching branches clad with tiny pink flowers.

Crossing the bridge, a native musk, Olearia argophylla [Section 66] is a tall shrub with overhanging branches clad with soft silvery-green leaves and clusters of aromatic cream daisy-like flowers. Passing the café, Chef’s Hat Correa, Correa baeuerlenii [Section 131] is a shrub of medium size almost concealing its dangling green tube shaped flowers and many calyces which gives the plant its ‘chef’s cap’ name. In the Ellis Rowan garden, Banksia ‘Stumpy Gold’[Section 131] is a dense dwarf spreading shrub with gold flower spikes, in profusion. Native fuchsia, Epacris longiflora [Section 131] has long wiry branches with pendular rows of red flowers with white mouth protruding through other shrubs. Epacris ‘Nectar Pink’[Section 131] has soft pink tubular flowers in the more upright shrub. Opposite, Banksia ‘Coastal Cushion’[Section 131] bears small gold with red styles flower spikes on the spreading prostrate plant. Opposite, Crowea ‘Cooper’s Hybrid’ [Section 240] has few pink starry flowers on this compact medium sized shrub while, at the corner Grevillea rhyolitica subsp. rhyolitica, ‘Deua Flame’[Section 240] is also dense, concealing its many clusters of dusky red flowers.

Opposite, surrounding the large tree, Acacia alata var. biglandulosa [Section 240] is a dense shrub of medium size, its branches appear to be flattened, zig-zag shaped and clad with cream fluffy flowers. Continue down to the right where Crowea ‘Poorinda Ecstasy’[Section 240] is a very small plant clad with pink star shaped flowers, seen below the notice. In front of the Education Centre, Banksia ‘Giant Candles’ [Section 310] is a large rambling shrub laden with very long orange flower spikes. Compare with a parent, Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 239] also a large spreading shrub and well clad with much smaller orange flower spikes seen across the path.

Crowea 'Poorinda Ecstasy' click for larger image

Return to the Ellis Rowan garden, compare the Hill banksia, Banksia spinulosa var.collina [Section 131] with its flower spikes similar to Hairpin banksia, Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 131], seen around the corner.

Short, chilly and colourful … Barbara Daly.