Australian National Botanic Gardens

In Flower this Week

A weekly news sheet prepared by a Gardens' volunteer.
Numbers in square brackets [] refer to garden bed Sections. Plants in flower are in bold type.

2 April 2004

Acronychia littoralis - click for larger image

Many of the flowers featured this week are rich in nectar and, with the shorter days, you may come close to a Honeyeater feeding on nectar-rich flowers. Starting behind the Kiosk, follow the road beside the rain forest. On the right, Callistemon ‘Rose Opal’ [Section 124] has crowded, weeping foliage and rose-coloured brushes. A little further on, at the edge of the rain forest, Acronychia littoralis [Section 114] has lovely glossy, green leaves and clusters of green buds just beginning to open into small yellowish flowers. Many Acronychia fruits are edible, though not always palatable.

Cross the Brittle Gum lawn, stopping to admire the long flower spikes on Banksia ericifolia subsp. macrantha [Section 109], behind the picnic table. Beside it, Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ [Section 109] has large, irregularly lobed leaves and showy sprays of pink-red flowers. At the road, turn left. On the left, Callistemon subulatus [Section 110] has many bright red brushes and dense foliage. A little further on, Callistemon ‘Smoked Salmon’ [Section 110] has flowers precisely the right colour.

Climbing the stairs to the Rockery, on the left Correa ‘Ivory Bells’ [Section 15c] has begun to flower profusely and should continue to flower well into winter. Banksia integrifolia var. integrifolia [Section 15c], with dark green, silver-backed leaves, sprawls onto the path displaying many yellow-green flower spikes. Opposite, Banksia ‘Honeypots’ [Section 15d] has much daintier foliage but longer flower spikes. On the left, at a path junction, Epacris brevifolia [Section 15b] has long stems of crowded foliage, topped with clusters of pure white flowers. Turning right at the next path, the dainty pink and yellow, fringed flowers of Homoranthus darwinoides [Section 15f] contrast with the fine grey-green foliage. Turning left again, in the bed on the right a small snow gum, Eucalyptus lacrimans [Section 15v], has white, twining trunks. At its base, Brachyscome rigidula [Section 15f] draws the eye with its mauve daisy flowers. Opposite, dainty Hypocalymma xanthopetalum [Section 15f] has showy yellow flowers ringing its stems.

Correa 'Ivory Bells' - click for larger image

Continuing on past a prostrate, silvery eucalyptus and an inviting seat at the corner, Grevillea lanigera [Section 15h] nestles against a rock, showing off many soft pink flowers and crowded, woolly foliage. Almost opposite, Hibbertia pedunculata [Section 15j] contrasts with its bright yellow flowers and small, dark green leaves.

At the road, turn left. Dampiera sylvestris [Section 15h] has eye-catching blue flowers. Further along Persoonia linearis [Section 15h] is a large shrub with long, light green leaves and yellow tube flowers. These should be followed by attractively marked fruits.

Now the choice becomes difficult—there’s much more to discover in the Rockery. Or if you cross the road to the Acacia area, you’ll find there are quite a few in flower.

Kath Holtzapffel