Acacia gordonii click for larger image

Leave the Visitors’ Information Centre and notice on the right Acacia gordonii [Section 174] with its bright golden balls on heather like foliage. Further along is the highly fragrant Woollsia pungens [Section 174] with clusters of white flowers on close spiky foliage. On the left is the long flowering Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210] tumbling over the rocks with its circles of mauve flowers on a neat bush with small leaves. On the right are the white tubular flowers of Epacris longiflora [Section 174] hanging in rows on mid-green foliage. Just before the bridge notice the unusual wattle on the right, Acacia myrtifolia [Section 174], with pale yellow balls on dark green foliage with red stems.

Go over the bridge and bear right past the café noticing on the right a pot of Dracophyllum macranthum [Section 240] with bright pink tubes on spiky foliage. Go under the arch of Acacia covenyi [Section 240]. Turn left onto the Main Path to see on the left the Winged Wattle or Acacia alata var. biglandulosa [Section 240], an acacia with flattened phyllodes and pale yellow balls of flower. Continue on the Main Path Loop up the hill to see an airy bush of xAstackea ‘Winter Pink’ [Section 10] with tiny pink flowers with red centres and small foliage. On the left is Eriostemon ‘J. Semmens’ [Section 30], appearing as a low mound of pink flowers with yellow stamens.

On the left at the top of the hill is a stunning specimen of Acacia baileyana prostrate [Section 30] with weeping fringed foliage and masses of bright yellow ball flowers. Behind, in sharp contrast, are the bright orange candles of Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia [Section 30]. Further along on the left behind the seat is a neat bush of Grevillea diminuta [Section 30] with brick red pendulous flowers on mid-green oval leaves. On the right is Banksia spinulosa var. neoanglica [Section 25] a mound of silver backed green foliage with many yellow brushes. Further on the left is Grevillea dimorpha [Section 25] with bright red flowers right on the stems of the dark green tongue like foliage. Turn sharp left past Grevillea epicroca [Section 25] a tall grevillea with bunches of orange-red flowers. Follow the road and turn right up the hill towards the Rock Garden on the Main Path.

Acacia boormanii click for larger image

On the right is Lysiosepalum involucratum [Section 4] with dusty purple blooms in orange bracts hanging on greyish foliage. On the left as you go up the steps is one of the many displays in the Rock Garden of Grevillea lanigera [Section 15c] with soft pink and cream blooms on grey-blue mounded foliage. On the right are the dainty white daisy flowers of Rhodanthe anthemoides [Section 15d]. Also on the right is Grevillea monticola [Section 15d], an unusual grevillea with cream rod flowers and spiky holly-like foliage. Bear left up the steps to see on the left Homoranthus flavescens [Section 15a] with its arching sprays of egg yolk yellow flowers and tight red buds. Continue into the Wattle Section along the mulched path to see on the left Acacia boormanii [Section 2] with clusters of bright yellow fluffy balls on fine foliage. Also on the left is a tree of Acacia silvestris [Section 2] with dark green pinnate leaves and yellow balls of flower.

Turn right downhill on the bitumen path to see on the left Acacia ulicifolia [Section 18] a large bush with pale yellow flowers on fine dark green prickly foliage. Continue straight ahead down the steps through the Rock Garden back to the Visitor Centre.

Rosalind Walcott