WINTER FLOWERS IN THE GARDENS

If winter has left you yearning for spring, a visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens might be just what you need to discover some winter blooms, warm yourself with colour and shrug off the winter chill.

Here we feature some flowers you can see this winter in the Gardens that may also inspire you to add colour to your Garden at home.

Banksia 'Birthday Candles'

The golden-orange candle-like flowers of Banksia 'Birthday Candles' are appealing to people and native birds alike. The dense, dark green foliage provides an attractive backdrop to the bright, showy flower spikes.

Its buds appear in early summer with a long anticipation period as they steadily expand to begin flowering in autumn extending into winter.

SEE BANKSIA 'BIRTHDAY CANDLES' IN FLOWER in the Gardens this winter along the main path in the Proteaceae section (section 30) and on the Main concourse past the Visitor Centre (sections 174)

GROW IT AT HOME This dwarf cultivar of Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa is a hardy low growing shrub to 60cm in height and 1.2m in width. It prefers well-drained soils in full sun or part shade and withstands light frosts. Other plants of this type are Banksia ‘Cherry Candles’and Banksia ‘Coastal Cushion’.

Available in select nurseries.

Image: Ben Walcott

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Grevillea 'Lady O'

The colourful masses of bright red flowers of Grevillea 'Lady O' brighten up a garden and attract nectar feeding birds.

‘Lady O’ is a medium sized spreading shrub bearing a host of bright red flowers. Under mild conditions plants can flower all year round. Grows to 1-1.5m high by 1.5 – 2 m wide.

SEE GREVILLEA 'LADY O' IN FLOWER IN THE GARDENS this winter in Section 26

GROW IT AT HOME This medium-sized shrub is a great addition to a home garden. Under mild conditions, the plants can flower all year round. It grows to a size of 1 - 1.5 m high by 1.5 - 2 m wide. Another similar grevillea is Grevillea ‘Duea Flame’ or Grevillea rhyolitica.

Available in select nurseries.

Image: Ben Walcott

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Crowea saligna

The narrow, pale green aromatic leaves and deep pink waxy flowers with yellow stamens of this small evergreen shrub brighten up a winter's day. Crowea saligna flowers between autumn and winter through to early spring.

SEE CROWEA SALIGNA IN FLOWER IN THE GARDENS this winter alont the path in Garden beds adjacent to the Cafe Lawn (Sections 112, 191f, 240)

GROW IT AT HOME Growing naturally in the open forests of central coastal New South Wales, this plant is perfect for shady areas of the garden. It is best grown in a cool semi-shaded position in moist well drained soil. It grows to about 1m in height and width.

Other similar croweas are Crowea ‘Festival’ and Crowea Poorinda Ecstasy’.

Available in select nurseries.

Image: APII

Correa 'Canberra Bells'

The Correa 'Canberra Bell' is the official plant commemorating the Centenary of Canberra. It was selected for its stunning flowers red and cream bell-shaped flowers, its drought and frost tolerance, and because it's indigenous to the region. It flowers from autumn through winter and attracts nectar-feeding birds.

SEE CORREA 'CANBERRA BELLS' IN FLOWER IN THE GARDENS this winter in Garden beds adjacent to the Cafe Lawn (sections 112, 124, 240)

GROW IT AT HOME This small rounded shrub grows to 1m x 1m. It grows best in light shade or full sun in well-drained soil, but can also grow well in a medium to large container. It benefits from tip pruning when small and a light trim after flowering only if necessary.

Other correas of this type from are Correa 'Annabell', Correa 'Jezebell' and Correa 'Catie Bec'.

Available in select nurseries.

Image: APII