In Flower This Week A weekly news-sheet prepared by a Gardens volunteer Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to garden bed 'Sections'.

10 October 1997

To continue with last week's walk along the new Main Path, we will start at the Rockery. Telopea speciosissima `Wirrimbirra White' [Section 15d] has burst forth with its majestic cream white flowers. Further along the path Tetratheca ciliata [Section 15] found in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia is showing its white flower bells in profusion.

Hakea bakeriana [Section 20], in the Proteaceae Section, has enormous woody fruits and on the stems can be seen large pink spider flowers. To the left nearby is Hakea purpurea [Section 20], with crimson red spider flowers amongst sharp spiky foliage.

In the Acacia Section across the road are many wattles in flower on both sides of the path. In particular notice Acacia cognata [Section 19] with its graceful weeping stems, long thin foliage and lemon coloured flowers. Acacia fimbriata [Section 18] is another fine example, the boughs are sweeping the ground weighed down with its golden flowers.

On entering the Eucalypt Lawn look at the different textures of the bark, in particular Eucalyptus eximia [Section 19a], its papery patterned bark of ochres and greys is lovely to touch. Look out for black cockatoos, they are around.

In the Sydney Region Flora there is Banksia serrata [Section 191] covered in old flower cones with their velvety prominent fruits. Commonly known as Old Man Banksia from May Gibbs The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the Bush Babies always walked past the banksia tree very quickly. Sowerbaea juncea [Section 191] lining the path on the right hand side has pretty clusters of fragile mauve flowers. This species is found naturally in swampy heathlands. The boronias are in flower, Boronia deanei [Section 191] has delicate four-petalled pink flowers. Pomaderris ferruginea [Section 191], Rusty Pomaderris, is a shrub displaying masses of light creamy yellow flowers contrasting with mid green leaves. Across the road from the Sydney Region Flora is Eriostemon myoporoides [Section 112], a small dainty with five white petals.

More to see.

Lesley Page.