Australian National Botanic Gardens
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.
8 July 2005
Prostanthera phylicifolia - click for larger image
Today's walk starts near the Visitor Centre. On the right of the path is Woollsia pungens [Section 174], a beautiful heath bush that has small white flowers circling down the stem with triangular spiky leaves. Opposite is a tall shrub Alyogyne ‘Westcoast Gem' [Section 210]. Notice the large beautiful hibiscus-like purple flowers. Further along on the same side is Prostanthera phylicifolia [Section 210], a small mint bush with dainty mauve flowers nestled in amongst the rocks. Also on the left are several cordylines from Norfolk Island, Cordyline obtecta [Section 210] which have sprays of small white flowers.
Acacia flexifolia - click for larger image
With the rainforest on your left, walk up the road passing through the entrance poles. On the left is a correa shrub Correa lawrenceana var. glandulifera [Section 125]. It has masses of delightful yellow-lime bell-like flowers with pronounced stamens hanging out. At the sign to Eucalypt Lawn, turn right, walk until you come to the Rock Garden sign. Underneath is a beautiful local prostrate Grevillea lanigera [Section 15] which has crimson yellow spider-flowers and plump leaves growing along the stem. At the end of section 15 is Pimelea avonensis [Section 15] a small shrub with delicate creamy white rice flowers. Next door, just to the left, Philotheca 'J. Semmens' is beginning to burst into flower,
Nearby in the Acacia Section to the left, is Acacia flexifolia [Section 3]. It also is starting to flower with little yellow balls dotted over the shrub. Onward to the start of Section 20, Hakea purpurea [Section 20] is displaying its crimson flowers and very spiky leaves. Next door is a small tree, Hakea recurva [Section 20] which has longer spiky leaves and the lime coloured flowers in the axils.
Continuing along the road, on the left is Acacia aphylla [Section 19]. It is unusual because it appears leafless. Deep yellow balls of flowers are opening. Back across to the hakeas again is the delightful Hakea obtusa [Section 20], a small tree which has brilliant pink pin-cushion like flowers along the stem. Lots of little wrens are tinkling away in the background.
Leaving the hakeas, to the right in Section 22 is Grevillea vestita [Section 22], a tall shrub which has white flowers and very decorative leaves. Cross the intersection, to the left is Crowea saligna, [Section 191h] a large spreading shrub which has bright green leaves and intense pink flowers along the stem.
Happy wandering.Lesley Page