In Flower This Week

Plants on either side of Banks Walk include Eremophila veneta [Section 221], a low open shrub dotted with fine tubular bluish flowers. Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’ [Section 172] has upright fine cylindrical flower spikes not yet golden. Actinotus helianthi ‘Federation Stars’ [Section 172] continue to produce striking white flannel flowers over velvety grey foliage. The large cycads, Macrozamia moorei [Section 210,174], with dense trunks and arching, dark green palm-like leaves have recently been acquired from a Queensland area being cleared for roadworks. Hibbertia vestita [Section 174] has bright yellow open flowers over a prostrate plant. Behind, Olearia ramulosa [Section 174] is mostly upright, massed with small white daisies. Worth seeking is Lechenaultia formosa [Section 174] with scarlet flowers over a small prostrate plant. Looking down towards the Tasmanian section, the small tree with fiery red calyces, which follow the white flowers, is that of the NSW Christmas Bush, Ceratopetalum gummiferum [Section 142]. Scaevola ‘New Blue’ [Section 174], edging the path, has large blue fan flowers over a prostrate, trailing plant. At the end of this section, Grevillea ‘Flame ‘n’ Beauty’ [Section 174] is an upright, open shrub graced with interesting cream toothbrush-like flowers with dark red styles.

The next area is in front of the Café building, where numerous croweas can be seen. Crowea exalata [Section 240] bears bright pink star flowers while Crowea ‘Southern Stars’ [Section 240] has finer foliage and smaller pink flowers and Crowea ‘Pink Blush’ [Section 240], of similar size, has white flowers with a blush of pink. Banksia integrifolia [Section 240], at the lower corner, is a dense prostrate plant with upright lime green flower spikes. Grevillea diminuta [Section 239] is quite dense and has fine strands of rust flowers. Callistemon ‘Booroomba Station’ [Section 143] is a small neat tree decorated with short pink bottlebrush flowers. Callistemon viminalis [Section 143], at the corner, is quite tall with deeply grooved trunks and arching branches with deep red bottlebrushes. Scaevola ‘Mauve Clusters’ [Section 131], below the windows, is a dense ground cover well covered with small mauve fan flowers. Opposite, Correa reflexa var. Kangaroo Island [Section 240] is a small open shrub bright with narrow tubular red and yellow flowers.

Another area abounding with colour is the Rock Garden. In front of the waterfall is a small tree, Eucalyptus extrica [Section 15V], with bluish leaves and white feathery flowers. Beside the steps, Crinum flaccidum [Section 15C] has long, thick floppy leaves and upright stems with sprays of white lilies. Edging the path to the Rainforest Gully, Banksia aemula [Section 16] dense with cream flower spikes. Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis [Section 110], flourishes in its cage while a geebung, Persoonia pinifolia [Section 110], has small spikes of yellow flowers on its pendulous branches. Backhousia citriodora [Section 80] is an attractive small tree crowned with clusters of white flowers and across the road is the Rainforest awaiting inspection.

Such grand gardens to explore ...

Barbara Daly.