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

26 October 2001

The flowers edging Banks Walk are not the only colourful part of the Gardens. The Rock Garden has such a variety of colourful plants so this walk will select some plants in that area.

Telopea speciosissima ‘Wirrimbirra White’ [Section 15D], a waratah, is interesting with its large creamish flowers exposed over this large shrub. Opposite, on top of elongated upright stems are large red flower clusters of the Gymea Lily, Doryanthes excelsa [Section 15C], its base surrounded by large sword-like leaves. Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’ [Section 15D] is so dense with many red toothbrush flowers, seen cascading down the rock fall. Above the waterfall, Conostylis robusta [Section 15D] reveals its heads of yellow flowers on upright stems.

Acacia glaucoptera [Section 15E] is a small, odd-looking plant with flattened leaves continuous with the stems. New growth has a red hue with yellow flower balls appearing over the plant. Lechenaultia biloba [Section 15F] has china blue flowers over its low growing plant while, around the corner the flowers are deep blue. Banksia repens [Section 15F] spreads its limbs just below ground level, now with brownish flower spikes seen amid the tough green upright foliage. Bulbine sp. [Section 15B,A] displays yellow star-like flowers, so bright, and on long upright succulent stems. Homoranthus sp. [Section 15A] is low with laterally layered branches, yellow with tiny buds just exploding into flowers of their own particular perfume. Prostanthera staurophylla [Section 15A] is a medium upright shrub clad with blue flowers. On top of the stairs, both Hibbertia kaputarensis [Section 15A] and Phebaleum whitei [Section 15A] display their bright yellow flowers.

Dampiera diversifolia [Section 15H], seen in patches between the rocks along this road, is a prostrate herb covered with deep blue flowers. Waratah, Telopea ‘Braidwood Brilliant’ [Section 15H] can be compared with Telopea speciosissima ‘Corroboree’ [Section 15J], both with magnificent red flower heads. Hibbertia empetrifolia [Section 15H] extends to the road, its entwined stems covered with cheery yellow flowers. Rhodanthe anthemoides ‘Chamomile Cascade’ [Section 15J] is really floriferous covered with white daisies. Pimelea spectablis [Section 15J] at the base of the waratah, has terminal heads of well-named, white, tinted pink flowers.

Along this path, Thomasia pauciflora [15R] has down-turned pink flowers in sprays over a medium, rounded shrub. Opposite, Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Pink Cascade’ [Section 15S] is a picture with low branches over the rocks, crowded with pink-white open flowers. Boronia heterophylla [Section 15R] is stunning because of the perfumed deep pink well arranged flowers along the limbs... really stunning ... and what a picturesque arrangement of colours about this corner.

Just come and see ... Barbara Daly.