Australian National Botanic Gardens
In Flower This WeekA weekly news-sheet prepared by a Gardens volunteer |
26 June 1998
On leaving the Visitor Centre pause at the tubs, in particular the one on the right hand side, Eremophila maculata var. brevifolia is covered with mauve-pink flowers and Hypocalymma longifolium is a slightly different pink, both plants being complimented by the grey foliage of Leucochrysum `The Governor'. Following along Banks Walk, Leucophyta brownii [Section 210] is another of those grey, contrasting foliage plants with rather insignificant flower heads. Melichrus adpressus [Section 174] is an interesting-looking small plant. A little further along is Epacris microphylla [Section 174] approximately one metre high with white starry flowers. Further along again, Templetonia retusa [Section 174] has upright branches with large, rust-red pea flowers.
Walk along the edge of the Rainforest Gully and turn into the path behind the Cafe, to see Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 182] where the spinebills feed in amongst upright, golden flower spikes, the grey of a nearby wattle highlighting the different foliage colours. Correa pulchella `Pink Mist` [Section 119] is a delightful and showy shrub while the Casuarina cunninghamii [Section 117] is a good example of this large tree. Near the Rock Garden, Swainsona galegifolia [Section 110] has showy purple pea flowers with reddish-green seed pods.
In the Rock Garden, Baeckea virgata `Howies Sweet Midget` [Section 15C] has very fine rusty red foliage while Crowea `Pink Blush' [Section 15C] has deep pink buds with very pale pink flowers. Eucalyptus landsdowneana subsp. landsdowneana [Section 15P] has quite a few bright red flowers but, looking at the buds which have yet to open, it will be shortly covered in flowers. Acacia terminalis [Section 3], a tall tree with creamy yellow flowers some of them just turning to a golden brown, has at its feet the prostrate Acacia cardiophylla `Golden Lace' [Section 3], which is only just in bud.
Epacris calvertiana var. calvertiana [Section 17], is a fairly open bush with a profusion of little creamy-white tubular flowers. Lomandra spicata [Section 10] is a vigorous, tussock plant with long strappy leaves and shiny seed capsules in an orange-yellow colour. Gahnia clarkei [Section 80] is a large sedge plant with long thin leaves and golden brown flower heads.
Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa [Section 109], just at the edge of the lawn, is a medium to large shrub with flower spikes similar to Banksia spinulosa var. collina [Section 109] but with maroon to black styles. The birds were happily dashing in and out of this bush too.
Enjoy!
Naomi Bell
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