Acacia uncinata click for larger image

Few of the many flowers will be mentioned from the Information Centre to the end of the buildings. The walk then will venture up to the Rock Garden and then almost encircle the Eucalyptus Lawn.

1. At the base of the stairs to the Information Centre, a Sheoak, Allocasuarina littoralis [Section 174] spreads its branches clad with pine-like leaves and deep red rounded flowers, above the path.
2. Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210] is a dense shrub falling over the rock wall, now clad with mauve flowers.  Below is Hibbertia vestita [Section 210] a low spreading shrub bright with open yellow flowers.
3. Following the Main Path, in the Ellis Rowan Garden, Banksia ‘Stumpy Gold’ [Section 131] is a dwarf spreading shrub with juvenile pencil thin upright dusky gold flower spikes  (many banksias are now bearing  juvenile flower spikes), some now are mature.
4. Epacris longiflora [Section 131] has long wiry branches clad with bright red tube shaped flowers with white mouth while nearby
5. Epacris ‘Nectar Pink’ [Sectiion 131] has soft pink tubular flowers. 
6. Almost concealed by a bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ [Section 240] a large shrub with bright red bottlebrush flowers is Eucalyptus ‘Summer Beauty’ [Section 240] which displays its soft pink feathery flowers.
7. Around the corner Eucalyptus ‘Summer Red’ [Section 240] is dazzling with feathery red flowers and many buds, also on small trees.
8. At the corner of the building take the left road passing the Pryor Tree, Eucalyptus mannifera, below its branches, Thryptomene ‘Pink Lace’ [Section 10] in a group is a low spreading shrub pink with tiny flowers edging its branches.
9. Towards the Rock Garden, Correa alba var. alba [Section 107] has white star-shaped flowers scattered among the dull green leaves of the dense hedge-like shrub.
10. Opposite the scenic waterfall and ponds, Guichenotia ledifolia [Section 4] is a neat rounded shrub clad in profusion with down- turned cup-like mauve flowers.
11. Follow the Main Path to a section of wattles where the perfumed Acacia parvipinnula [Section18] a tree clad with dark divided leaves and cream fluffy flower balls.
12. At the exit is a small tree, a Blue-leaved Mallee, Eucalyptus polybractea [Section 18] has conspicuous cream feathery flowers. Follow the path which winds about the relaxing Eucalyptus Lawn.
13. On the far side close to the lawn, in a garden Acacia uncinata [Section 44] has bright yellow flower balls while close by Crowea saligna [Section 44] is a low open shrub with large pink star-like flowers.
14. The road then follows the Sydney Basin to the left where flannel flowers, Actinotus helianthii [Section 191l] are small plants with soft grey flannel-like foliage and the renowned large white many petalled flowers.
15. Down this road banksias include Banksia aemula [Section 191l, 191e], all large dense plants with lime coloured flower spikes.
16. Banksia spinulosa var. cunninghamii, the Hairpin Banksia [Section 191e] has lemon, maturing to almost red flower spikes while
17. Banksia ericifolia [Section 191e], at a side path leading to the shade houses, has mature, almost red flower spikes.
18. At the next road junction, past the Eucalyptus Lawns, Correa ‘Bett’s Red’ [Section 112] is a dense small shrub bright with red tubular flowers while behind Correa ‘Canberra Bells' [Section 112] is less dense but displays its more robust red and lemon flower bells.               

To return, follow the Main Path.

Barbara Daly.