Hakea francisiana click for larger image

This walk is around and about the Gardens. Today all plants are dripping with raindrops and so even in the rain the walk is pleasant. Just past the café in the Ellis Rowan garden Banksia ‘Stumpy Gold’ [Section 131] (1) is a dwarf dense spreading shrub brilliant with its upright cylindrical gold flower spikes. At the other end of the building, Acacia alata var. biglandulosa [Section 240] (2) is a dense shrub of medium size, its branches appear to be flattened zig-zag shaped and clad with cream fluffy flowers.

Following the Main Path, Leptospermum squarrosum [Section 12] (3) is of medium height with many pink petalled flowers among the leaves. Thryptomene sp. [Section 10] (4) is a low shrub dense with arching branches clad with tiny pink flowers. Edging the side path to the left a grouping of Micromyrtus ciliata [Section 10] (5) clad with tiny brick red buds and few white flowers over the low spreading shrubs. An emu-bush, Eremophila maculata var. maculata [Section 302] (6) has bright yellow tube shaped flowers on an open shrub. Thryptomene denticulata [Section 9] (7) is a low shrub with long arching branches clad with tiny pink flowers. Homoranthus flavescens [Section 30] (8) displays its layered branches with terminal nectar loaded red buds. Dryandra quercifolia [Section 30] (9) had large yellow flower heads and large buds among the toothed leaves. Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 30] (10) has a profusion of golden flower spikes over the dwarf spreading shrub. (It is one of many banksias flowering in the gardens). Grevillea lanigera [Section 25] (11) bears many pink-cream flowers on the prostrate plant. Around this corner Grevillea dimorpha [Section 25] (12) clusters its rust-red flowers along the branches of the upright shrub.

Across the road Grevillea ‘Lady O’ [Section 26, 24] (13) is a small shrub with arching branches and bright red flower clusters. Take the next small path to the left where Grevillea brevifolia [Section 23] (14) is a medium rounded shrub with silver edged leaves and dangling rust coloured flower spikes. To the left of the next road Hakea cristata [Section 23] (15) is a spreading shrub with spoon-shaped prickly leaves and white lacy flowers along the branches. Continue along the small path across the road, where Hakea bakeriana [Section 21] (16) has many large rounded flower clusters, maturing to pink and attached to the mature stems and old branches especially about the base. Around the next corner Hakea francisiana [Section 20] (17) has few tall branches beautified with eye-catching terminal cherry red flower spikes. Returning to the left narrow path along which Hakea verrucosa [Section 21] (18) is a rounded shrub clad with pink-cream flowers with prominent red stamens. Towards the end of this path Hakea orthorrhyncha var. filiformis [Section 21] (19) is really an eye-catching shrub. It has few long branches, all crowded with clusters of red flowers and long fine leaves.

Hakea bakeriana click for larger image

Follow the road down, crossing the Main Path to the next road to the right. Around the corner Grevillea floribunda [Section 26] (20) is an upright open shrub displaying its many pendent cinnamon coloured flowers. Continuing along this road Grevillea irrasa sp. didymochiton [Section 26] (21) is noticeable with its cherry coloured buds and spiker-like flowers on the large dense shrub. At the Main Road crossing a large pot contains Isopogon asper [Section 24] a small many branched shrub interesting with small yellow flat-headed flower heads maturing to a pink colour. Plants in flower continue along this road eventually leading to the café.

Cold, wet and still pleasant … Barbara Daly.