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

24 October 1997

The Gardens are so colourful with the spring array of flowers. Waratahs, in particular, reveal their red flower heads in many areas and Telopea speciosissima `Doug's Hybrid' at the main gates is no exception. Enjoy the plants in pots outside the Visitor Centre. Pimelea spectabilis is a small plant with large flower heads coloured white with a dash of pink. Boronia `Tyalge Ruby' is laden with pink buds opening to dainty pink and white flowers.

As the Rockery is so colourful this walk will concentrate on some flowers in that section. The plants here have been selected because of their specialised soil requirements and mostly because they are small. At the base of the stairs Telopea speciosissima `Wirrimbirra White' [Section 15D] is of medium size and bears many large white globular flower heads. Grevillea `Poorinda Royal Mantle' [Section 15] is seen cascading down the rock face, with deep red toothbrush-like flowers mingling with the dark green foliage.

Tetratheca ciliata [Section 15S] is low and spreading and well covered with white, downturned flowers. Phebalium whitei [Section 15S] bears golden yellow flowers on a small, erect shrub and nearby Pimelea ferruginea `Bonnie Petite' [Section 15S] has deep pink flowers borne in terminal heads. Not so brilliant, but most attractive, is Leptospermum `Pink Cascade' [Section 15S] which is a low, spreading Tea-tree crowned with delicate pink open flowers.

Across the path the pink fluffy flowers of Kunzea preissiana [Section 15R] and the reddish purple waxy flowers of Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium uncinatum `Purple Pride' [Section 15R], blend well with the white star-like flowers of Ricinocarpos bowmanii [Section 15R]. In front, Telopea speciosissima [Section 15L], the Sydney Waratah, admirably displays its many brilliant red flower heads while over the road Grevillea flexuosa [Section 15P] spreads its branches which are laden with subtly perfumed, dense cream flowers borne in candle-like spikes.

On the top road, Telopea speciosissima `Corroboree' [Section 15J] is quite stunning with its many almost scarlet coloured flower heads. Other `treasures' along this road include Dampiera rosmarinifolia [Section 15H] which appears to be an entanglement of branches but beautified with its particular shade of purple flowers. The tiny Baeckea ramosissima `Pink Gem' [Section 15H] is clad with minute pink flowers, and Lechenaultia biloba [Section 15H] with pale blue flowers. But who could not admire Hypocalymma angustifolium [Section 15H]. This neat, rounded shrub is laden with tiny soft and fluffy, pinky-white flower balls along the arching branches ... really lovely.

So much to enjoy ...

Barbara Daly.