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

31 July 1998

On leaving the Visitors Centre pause at the tubs at the outer door, 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'.

Turn about and walk towards the ramp in front of the Visitors Centre. Allocasuarina portuensis [Section 221] is aglow with its rusty brown flowers making it quite easy to pick out. There is a strappy plant Lomandra longifolia [Section 223 and 224], and though its flower spikes are well past their prime, it contrasts very well the plants growing around it. Grevillea `Scarlet Sprite' [Section 224] has very fine, narrow leaves and bright red and cream flowers which are cheerful in the middle of winter. Grevillea diminuta [Section 222] is a small, spreading shrub, very useful as a ground cover, with clusters of pendulous, orange coloured flowers at the end of the branch.

Cross at the pedestrian crossing to the `Grassy Woodland' [Section 175], where there is Xanthorrhoea glauca showing off its lovely skirts. Wander through these Grasslands to the next pedestrian crossing and on your right is Melaleuca incana `Velvet Cushion' [Section 170] forming a casual, low hedge. Continue on towards the Tasmanian Alpine Garden and on your right is Zieria adenophora [Section 170], a small shrub with white star-like flowers and a purple green foliage. A little further on is a very good specimen of Hakea bakeriana [Section 170] with its bright green foliage and huge seed pods indicating where the flowers have hidden inside the bush.

In the Alpine Garden, Eucalyptus vernicosa [Section 231] is one of the smallest gum trees, with dense foliage right down to ground level, Ozothamnus explansifolius [Section 231] with dark green foliage and white star-like flowers and Bellendena montana [Section 231] (just behind the seat), with its foliage a striking rich red. Epacris mucronulata [Section 231] is a dwarf to small plant with tiny tubular white flowers. Poa sieberiana is a tufted perennial grass, with green-grey tinges.

Cyathodes juniperina [Section 237] with small red berries and lots of new growth, and Cyathodes abietina [Section 237] is not flowering either but its red berries are much more noticable than Cyathodes juniperina. Allocasuarina zephyrea [Section 237] is a multi-stemmed shrub with grey-green foliage and lots of cones.

Acacia myrtifolia [Section 141] has dark to light green leaves with red stems and buds. Lomandra longifolia [Section 137 and 138] can again be seen near the waterfall and along the edges of the small stream. Head back towards the car park by way of the Cafe or go through the rainforest area following the creek back. Enjoy!

Naomi Bell