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

25 December 1998

There is a wealth of colourful flowers along the Main Path, so with the pamphlet `A Walk Along the New Main Path', enjoy the walk, starting at the far end of the cafe renowned for its super coffee and delectable foods.

In the section of grasses, lilies, etc. see kangaroo paws, Anigozanthos flavidus [Section 8] with long bare stems topped with flat green `paw' flowers. Stroll through the area of grevilleas which have almost finished flowering. See Grevillea acanthifolia [Section 30], with long lateral branches displaying pink toothbrush-like flowers while, nearby, Grevillea juniperina [Section 30] is a large, rounded shrub bearing red spider-like flowers. Admire the mottled grey trunks, now with deep pink tones, of the majestic Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 26].

Edging the winding path through the Flora of the Sydney Region, Baeckea sp. [Section 191] is a neat, open shrub bearing clusters of small white flowers along the arching branches. About the seat are the deep purple flowers of Dampiera purpurea [Section 191], the red spider flowers of Grevillea sp. nov. aff. victoriae `Deua' [Section 191]and the large, bright yellow flowers of Hibbertia scandens [Section 191] on a vine, climbing up from the stream. The stream runs under the large, green fronds of the tree fern, Dicksonia antartica [Section 191]. The brilliantly coloured rosellas chatter in the trees overhead.(who needs flowers!) The wall contains a selection of leaves of the fossil seed-fern Glossopteris.

Behind the seat, The blue, star-like flowers of Isotoma axillaris [Section 191] and the yellow flowers of Hibbertia diffusa [Section 191] nestle between large sandstone rocks. Along the path are the lovely deep purple, frilled flowers of the Fringed lily, Thysanotus juncifolium [Section 191], Scaevola aemula [Section 191] , also low and sprawling, with stems bearing large, purple fan-flowers. The top Display garden is so picturesque containing a crowd of Flannel flowers, Actinotus helianthi [Section 191] with soft, grey foliage and splendid daisy-like white velvet flowers, all surrounding the showy Christmas bells, Blandfordia grandiflora [Section 191] ... so colourful, with large red cylindrical flowers tipped with yellow, borne in clusters at the end of an upright stem. Could not miss Hakea teretifolia [Section 191] with dense coverage of lacy white flowers mixed with very prickly foliage,on a neatly rounded shrub.

Cross the Eucalyptus Lawns to the Rock Garden containing many colourful flowers. As a backdrop, towards the Rainforest Gully, is a tall tree, Grevillea robusta [Section 16], ornately covered with orange flowers ... what better example of a Christmas tree! Another enjoyment is the cool, green Rainforest Gully, at the end of which is the Victorin Christmas bush, Prostanthera lasianthos [Section 148] sprayed with white flowers.

Seasons Greetings to all ...

Barbara Daly.