Xerochrysum bracteatum 'Princess of Wales'
This cultivar grows into a compact, dense shrub 0.6m tall by
0.6m wide. The leaves are mostly glabrous though the midrib is covered with
a fine mantle of silky hairs. Some scattered silky hairs occur also along
the leaf margins. The younger stems are covered in a dense coat of similar
silky hairs which diminish as the stems become older. The leaves average
between 5 and 9cm in length. The flower heads average 5 to 1.5cm long while
the rays of the inner bracts average 1 to 1.5cm long. Both are a rich gold
in colour. The stigmas are orange colour when they emerge. The flowers are
on long stems that emerge well above the foliage. The flowering season in
Canberra is from October to April but occasional flowers may be found all
year round. The flowering period should not be markedly different in other
parts of Australia.
Diagnosis:
This cultivar may be distinguished from the presumed parent
forms by the following features. The cultivar has the perennial habit of
Xerochrysum 'Dargan Hill Monarch' but lacks the greyish appearance provided
by the fine silky hairs. This perennial habit differs from the annual habit
of the other presumed parent form. The main distinguishing characteristic
is in the cultivar's flowering habit. As flowers die the stem withers and
the whole flower stem and dead flowerheads disappear into the lower foliage
of the plant. At the same time new growth emerges from lower on the plant
and extends above the foliage again. These new stems then bear new
inflorescences. The cultivar is also very free flowering.
Other notes:
The free flowering habit together with the growth habit of
"hiding" the spent flower heads make this a very desirable plant for
cultivation. The cultivar is named in honour of her Royal Highness the
Princess of Wales on the occasion of her visit to the Australian National
Botanic Gardens on 7 November 1985. The cultivar is frost hardy and
moderately drought hardy. The cultivar must be propagated by vegetative
means to preserve the cultivar form.
Xerochrysum bracteatum 'Pink Sunrise'
A dense perennial with a width of 60 cm and height of 30 cm.
The pink buds open to cream with an orange centre.
Diagnosis:
Xerochrysum 'Pink Sunrise' is similar to Xerochrysum 'Diamond
Head' but flower colour differs. Xerochrysum 'Diamond Head' is 0.2 m x 0.5
m with 3 cm flower heads held well above narrow green foliage; flowers
yellow with an orange centre.
Brachyscome 'Ramboreef'
The vibrant purple pink flower colour is a striking feature of this new brachyscome. Has a compact suckering growth habit and divided foliage. Good accent plant for garden, and great for containers for patios, courtyards and poolside.
Callistemon 'Reeve's Pink'
The cultivar forms a dense shrub to a height of about 3m with an equal or slightly wider spread. The leaves are entire and about 45mm long by about 8mm wide. The new tip growth is pink and densely covered in silky hairs. The flowers are produced in dense "bottlebrush" clusters which
are themselves often grouped into bunches. Individual "bottlebrushes: are pink and about 70mm long and about 40mm wide. The stamens are the colourful part of the flower.
Diagnosis:
This cultivar is different from its possible parent in its slightly more spreading habit and pink flower colour. The usual colour of Callistemon citrinus is red or lemon.
Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Christmas Snow'
Diagnosis:
C. 'Christmas Snow' differ from other known forms of the species
in the variegation of its leaves. The variegation i is of the "blotched"
variety, with irregular patches of cream varying from 3-5% of leaf surface.
Some minor variegation also occurs; these are pale greyish green patches
and are not strongly discernable.
Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Festival'
Small dense tree. Flowers: small, creamy white in terminal panicles. Sepals: white at first (Nov), ripening (mid Dec) to deep red on inside of sepal, and rose red on outside of sepal.
Ceratopetalum gummiferum 'Magenta Star'
This cultivar is a shrub to 3.5m tall by 3m wide. The new
growth is a dark magenta-purple which gradually fades as the leaves age.
The undersides of the leaves are a darker colour than the upper surfaces,
and the leaf margins hold the colouration even when the leaf ages. The
midveins of the leaves are a prominent red when the leaves are young and
these change to a prominent greenish-yellow as the leaves age.
Diagnosis:
The purplish appearance of the new growth is the most
distinctive feature of this cultivar; in usual forms it is green.
Chamelaucium 'Blondie'
Shrub with red buds and white flowers.
Selection Criteria: hardy, vigorous, early flowering, floral characteristics, very long flowering and very long vase life.
Chamelaucium 'Bridal Pearl'
Medium shrub with white flowers. Early flowering selection. Selection criteria: vigour, floriferousness, stem length, flower colour and date of flowering.