May
Some plants that are in flower in May
Click on any image to enlarge and scroll though all the images for each week.
Banksia spinulosa ‘Honey Pots’
6 May 2024
Starting at the top left:
Banksia spinulosa ‘Honey Pots’
We have planted ten of these shrubs, 0.5m high x 0.5m wide, with nectar rich flowers from late summer through to spring. Our original shrub, planted in April 2006, has grown to 1.5m high and wide, much larger than advertised on the label.
Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Pink Petticoat’ or ‘Petticoat Pink’
We planted two of these shrubs, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with needle-like dark green leaves and many small pink, star shaped flowers, in 2011 and 2019. The first plant died right away but the second persists.
Correa calycina bronze leaf
We planted this compact shrub , to 1.5m high, with mid- green foliage with velvety brown undersides and lime green tubular flowers in November 2019.
Correa 'Marian's Marvel'
We have planted 22 of this hybrid between C. backhousiana and C. reflexa, 2 m by 3 m across, from 2003-2019. This plant has dark green foliage and bell shaped flowers which are pink in upper section and lime green near the tip. Originally we took the advice that these plants liked shade and we had only mixed success with them. We then saw them growing beautifully in full sun at Murrumbateman, and tried cuttings from our original plants in a similar position. These plants have grown and flowered extremely well and frost does not bother them at all.
Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’
We planted eight of these compact shrubs, height 50cm x width 60cm, with glossy green foliage and many bright orange bell flowers, in August 2016.
Eremophila youngii
We have planted two of these upright shrubs, 1-2m high x 0.6-1m wide, with attractive grey foliage and tubular pink flowers, in 2010 and 2012. This plant is native to central WA. One died in April 2021, but the other is now over 2m high and blooms often.
22 May 2023
Starting from the top left:
Banksia seminuda – River Banksia
We planted this fast-growing erect tree, 5-15m high by 2-4m wide, with attractive dark green foliage, silver underneath, and large red and gold flowers in August 2016. Ben grew our plant from seed and the tree has now reached 5m high and 3m wide and is flowering with more than 50 cones in March 2023. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Correa ‘Ice Chimes’
We planted three of these compact shrubs, height 0.75m x width 0.5m, with dense foliage and many white, dainty bell flowers, in November 2019.
Correa pulchella – Wild Fuchsia
We have planted 15 of these correas, 1m x 1m, with decorative salmon bell flowers from 2005-19. This small neat shrub from South Australia provides great winter color, and prefers moist well drained soils in a sunny to partly shaded position.
Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’
We planted eight of these compact shrubs, height 50cm x width 60cm, with glossy green foliage and many bright orange bell flowers, in August 2016.
Hakea laurina x petiolaris ‘Pin Ball’ – Pincushion Hakea (grafted)
‘Pin Ball’ is a standout shrub in our garden, with leathery green to bluish-green leaves with prominent veining and ball-like red flowers with cream styles. We have planted four of these shrubs, 3.5 – 5m high x 3-10m wide.
Phebalium nottii pink
We planted this mall bushy shrub to 1m high with dark foliage and clusters of pink star flowers in April 2021. This plant is frost and drought tolerant and is native to northern NSW and southern Queensland. The first blooms were in June 2021.
8 May 2023
Starting from the top left:
Alyxia ruscifolia
Moonya is an erect shrub, growing up to 3m high x 1.5m wide, although the one we planted in May 2009 has only grown to 1.5m high and wide, and flowered for the first time in April 2012. Dark green glossy leaves, perfumed white flowers and orange fruit make this an attractive shrub for a protected spot in the garden. This plant comes from the rainforest areas of Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW and Papua New Guinea.
Banksia pulchella – Teasel Banksia (grafted)
We planted a grafted specimen of this plant in April 2009. The species name is from the Latin for pretty. The shrub grows to 1m high and flowers with brownish-yellow teasel flowers with unusual grey, knobbly fruiting cones. Our plant has flowered reliably since April 2010. This plant is native to the south coast of Western Australia, near Esperance. The type collection was by Robert Brown in January 1802, Lucky Bay, WA.
Correa glabra pink and cream
We planted three of these plants, 1m high and wide, with shiny green leaves and pink and cream bell flowers, in March 2017. This plant is native to NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
Correa pulchella – Wild Fuchsia
We have planted 15 of these correas, 1m x 1m, with decorative salmon bell flowers from 2005-19. This small neat shrub from South Australia provides great winter color, and prefers moist well drained soils in a sunny to partly shaded position.
Melaleuca lateritia
Melaleuca lateritia, or Robin Redbreast Bush, is a medium shrub, supposedly 1.5m high and wide, although has grown to 2m x 2m in our garden. We planted eight of these in March 2004 on the corners of the parterres near the house. They flowered first for us in January 2005 and have continued to flower over long periods since then. The flowers are bright orange-red, almost Dayglo orange. If these shrubs start to look unsightly you can cut them back to the ground and they will reshoot and flower again in two years. Ben calls them the resurrection plant. This plant is native to southwestern coast of WA.
Xerochrysum bracteata ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’
We planted 20 of these perennial plants in October 2022, growing to 0.8m high x 1.5m wide, with large greyish leaves and very large yellow paper daisies in spring and summer. These plants need a well drained sunny position and are very showy.
30 May 2022
Starting from the top left:
Acacia longiphyllodinea – Long Leaf Rock Wattle
We planted this shrub, 1.5-2.5m high x 1.5-2m wide, with dark green narrow foliage and yellow rod flowers, in September 2013. This plant is native to southwestern WA, south of Geraldton. One half of the plant was eaten off by kangaroos December 2019, then hail knocked off the new growth January 2020. Our plant was cut in half January 2021, but still persists.
Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’
We have planted five of this compact form of classic Australian native, which was one of the first plants to be domesticated and has been grown in the UK since late 18C, from 2019-2021. This cultivar, 2m high x 1.8m wide, has cylindrical red/orange flowers and fine green heath-like foliage
Boronia crenulata ‘Pink Passion’
We planted ten of these small shrubs, with fresh green leaves and pink star flowers over a very long period., in August 2019 They seem impervious to frost, but do not like very hot weather.
Boronia filifolia - Slender Boronia
We planted one of these dome shaped shrubs, 0.3-0.5m high x 1-3m wide, with pink flowers, in September 2020. The dainty flowers are borne over long periods. This species is native to Victoria and South Australia.
Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Pink Petticoat’ or ‘Petticoat Pink’
We planted two of these shrubs, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with needle-like dark green leaves and many small pink, star shaped flowers, in 2011 and 2019. The first plant died right away but the second persists.
Correa decumbens ‘Rose Lantern’
We planted three of these spreading shrubs, 1.5m high and wide, with dark pink bell flowers, in February 2021. This plant requires moist, free draining soil with some shade.
23 May 2022
Starting at the top left:
Banksia ‘Bird Song’
We planted three of these hybrids, B. spinulosa ‘dwarf’ x ericifolia ‘Golden Girl’ in August 2013. These are hardy banksias, height 1.5m x 1.5m, which flower prolifically throughout autumn and winter with shiny green foliage and orange spikes of flower. Honeyeaters love this plant.
Brachyscome multifida ‘Amethyst’
We have planted 110 of this low growing perennial with attractive purple daisy flowers over many months, from 2003-2009. Some of these have died in the heat and drought, but most persist, especially if they have some cover.
Correa ‘Isabell’
We have planted 17 of these small spreading shrubs, which grow to 75cm high, with grey-green leaves and soft pink flowers, from 2017-21. This Bywong Nursery selection definitely needs overhead protection in our garden and most of our plants have succumbed to sun and frost.
Correa ‘Snowbelle’
We planted this spreading shrub, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with dainty white flowers over a long period, in April 2020.
Grevillea drummondii – Drummond’s Grevillea
We planted this shrub in July 2020, to 3m high and 1.5m wide, with softly hairy, dark green foliage and yellow-orange flowers which crowd in the leaf axils and age to pink or red creating a bicolour look. This plant is native to Perth area, WA and is named after the Scotsman, James Drummond, 1784-1863.
Grevillea pimelioides
We planted this erect shrub, 2.5m high, with red tipped, hard yellow flowers in a pot in September 2010. This plant is native to the Helena and Canning River regions southeast of Perth, WA. We transplanted our specimen to a large pot in February 2012 and cut it back quite severely. Our original plant died in December 2016 and we planted another in July 2020.
16 May 2022
Correa calycina bronze leaf
We planted this compact shrub , to 1.5m high, with mid- green foliage with velvety brown undersides and lime green tubular flowers in November 2019.
Correa ‘Lemon Twist’
We have planted seven of these hybrid shrubs from 2015-21, C. reflexa var. nummularia x C. alba, 20cm high by 1m wide, which first occurred in the gardens of Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier. This plant has attractive shiny foliage and many well displayed lemon flowers over a long period.
Eucalyptus pulverulenta
Eucalyptus pulverulenta is a small twisted tree to 8m with silver stem-clasping foliage and white flowers from NSW, between Bathurst and Bombala. We planted one in October 2014 and it has grown well to 3m and flowered for the first time in April. 2020. We also planted the cultivar ‘Baby Blue’ in September 2015 after seeing it grow so well in the frosty New England area near Armidale. This specimen has been very slow to grow and is only about 1m tall.
Grevillea lanigera ‘Celia’
We planted three of these low hardy shrubs, 45cm high x 1m wide, with pink and white flowers, in 2018.. This plant needs full sun and is frost hardy, and the flowers attract birds
Grevillea ‘Woolly Bear Hero’
Grevillea ‘Woolly Bear Hero’ is a selection of G. lanigera, a low plant about 1m wide, with attractive grey-green foliage and dark pink flowers over a long period. We have planted five of them over a five year period, 2010-15, in various parts of the garden and they perform well.
Phebalium nottii pink
We planted this mall bushy shrub to 1m high with dark foliage and clusters of pink star flowers in April 2021. This plant is frost and drought tolerant and is native to northern NSW and southern Queensland. The first blooms were in June 2021.
9 May 2022
Acacia beckleri - Barrier Range Wattle
We have planted three of these shrubs to 3m high, often spreading widely, native to the Gawler Range and the northeastern Eyre Peninsula, SA, then further east to Cobar and Jerilderie NSW. The first one, planted November 2013, died December 2014, but the other two are persisting and flowering from March 2021 onwards.
Banksia pulchella – Teasel Banksia (grafted)
We planted a grafted specimen of this plant in April 2009. The species name is from the Latin for pretty. The shrub grows to 1m high and flowers with brownish-yellow teasel flowers with unusual grey, knobbly fruiting cones. Our plant has flowered reliably since April 2010. This plant is native to the south coast of Western Australia, near Esperance. The type collection was by Robert Brown in January 1802, Lucky Bay, WA. This flowering season, May 2022, we have over 100 flowers on this small shrub.
Callistemon ‘Pink Champagne’
The standout Callistemon in our garden is C. ‘Pink Champagne’, an upright tall shrub to 3m, width 2m. We first planted one in February 2004, then another in November 2005. We then planted a number of seedlings and now have at least 15 growing even after losing several when the pine fell. This plant always looks healthy, blooms at least twice a year and has the most lovely dusty pink blooms. It is also a favourite of the bowerbirds, which always have a bower under one group of these plants.
Correa ‘Catie Bec’
We have planted six of these shrubs, 1m x 1.5m wide, with curled pink flowers, over the period 2018-21. In our garden they need some overhead protection.
Correa 'Marian's Marvel'
We have planted 22 of this hybrid between C. backhousiana and C. reflexa, 2 m high x 3 m wide, from 2003-2019. This plant has dark green foliage and bell shaped flowers which are pink in upper section and lime green near the tip. Originally we took the advice that these plants liked shade and we had only mixed success with them. We then saw them growing beautifully in full sun at Murrumbateman, and tried cuttings from our original plants in a similar position. These plants have grown and flowered extremely well and frost does not bother them at all.
Epacris reclinata
We planted this shrub, 0.6-1m high x 0.5m wide, with small prickly leaves and pink bell flowers with white tips, in August 2019. This plant is native to the Blue Mountains, NSW. Magnificent all over flowering in May 2022.
2 May 2022
Acacia denticulosa - Sandpaper Wattle
We have planted five of these erect, sparsely branched shrubs, height 3m x width 3m, over the years 2010-15, but only one remains. The thick elliptical phyllodes are toothed with a rasp like surface. Long golden ‘finger’ flowers appear in winter and spring. This plant is native to southwestern Western Australia and its status vulnerable. Our one successful plant is in a dry, protected position.
Correa ‘Lemon Twist’
We have planted seven of these hybrid shrubs from 2015-21, C. reflexa var. nummularia x C. alba, 20cm high by 1m wide, which first occurred in the gardens of Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier. This plant has attractive shiny foliage and many well displayed lemon flowers over a long period.
Correa ‘O.M.G.’
We planted five of these correas, 1.5m high and wide, with large red bell flowers, in March 2016. They were somewhat straggly shrubs at first, but responded very well to pruning.
Grevillea ‘Bush Lemons’
We have tried twice to establish Grevillea ‘Bush Lemons’, grafted specimens, in our garden but have to admit defeat. Our frosty conditions are too severe for this plant. One, planted in March 2013 died in September 2015 after flowering somewhat in December 2013. The other, planted in February 2018, was frosted off in the winter and died in September 2018. I am now, February 2022, trying a standard form in a pot, as I admire its many lemon flowers.
Hakea clavata
We have planted two of these shrubs, 1.5m high x 2.5m wide, with succulent like leaves and pale pink to white flowers, in March 2012 and November 2019. The foliage is unusual and a feature of the plant. Our first specimen, planted in March 2012, was hit by the frost in October of the same year and died. The second one we planted in pot in November 2019 and it is growing well so far and flowered for the first time in October 2021. This plant is native to the Esperance area of WA and is adapted to harsh conditions.
Hakea laurina ‘Stockdale Sensation’
Hakea laurina ‘Stockdale Sensation’ is a cultivar with a dense weeping habit and red and cream pincushion flowers. We have planted three of these in various places in the garden, in September 2014 and 2015. All three are thriving and flowering somewhat. We hope for more blooms as these shrubs mature.
3 May 2021
Starting from the top left:
Pandorea jasminoides ‘Pink Magic’
We planted this evergreen climber with a neat habit and sprays of large pink blooms with darker pink throats, in April 2008. This plant needs some frost protection but is happy climbing through Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’.
Correa ‘Ice Chimes’
We planted three of these compact shrubs, height 0.75m x width 0.5m, with dense foliage and many white dainty bell flowers, in November 2019.
Correa ‘Lemon Twist’
We have planted seven of these hybrid shrubs from 2015-21, C. reflexa var. nummularia x C. alba, 20cm high by 1m wide, which first occurred in the gardens of Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier. This plant has attractive shiny foliage and well displayed lemon flowers.
Banksia ‘Golden Girl’
We planted this cultivar, supposedly 1.8m high by 1.2m, with large golden flowers in July 2004. ‘Golden Girl’ has grown to 3m high and 5m wide for us and is a generous bloomer.
Eremophila glabra ‘Fruit Salad’
We planted six of these vigorous, prostrate plants, 0.3m high x 1.5m wide, with bright green leaves and attractive red and yellow flowers in February 2015.
Eremophila oldfieldii ‘Honeyeater Cheer’ (grafted)
We planted this shrub, 2m high x 2m wide, with linear grey-green leaves and dark orange flowers, in November 2011. This eremophila is named after Angus Oldfield, English botanist and is native to central and southern WA.
17 May 2021
Starting from the top left:
Acacia cremiflora
We planted three of these rounded shrubs, 1-1.5m high x 2m wide, with green circular foliage on arching branches and cream flowers in 2016-17. These plants bloom at least three times a year and their foliage, dark seed pods and umbrella shape is pleasing at all times of the year.
Adenanthos sericeus – Woollybush
We planted three of these fast growing shrubs ,height 3m, width 2-3m, with foliage covered in silky hairs which creates a silvery appearance and makes the plant pleasant to touch, in 2004-07. Small red flowers attractive to birds are produced throughout the year These plants are native to southwestern WA, near Albany and Esperance.
Banksia ericifolia ‘Red Rover’
We planted one of these plants in our large rockery in November 2006. This plant has grown much larger than its advertised 1.8m high x 1.2m wide, more like 3m high x 6m wide, with bright red flower spikes and fresh green needle foliage. Our plant began flowering in May 2010, but did not show bright red brushes until it became more mature.
Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’
We planted eight of these compact shrubs, height 50cm x width 60cm, with glossy green foliage and many bright orange bell flowers, in August 2016.
Eucalyptus orbifolia dwarf
Eucalyptus orbifolia dwarf (photos above) was a gift from Neil and Wendy Marriott and was planted in November 2016. This small tree to 3m high with reddish ‘minniritchi’ bark and round grey leaves, has large clusters of creamy flowers which are attractive to birds and bees. This tree blooms for us in April and May and is native to southwestern WA.
Grevillea ’Goldfever’
We have planted five of these low spreading shrubs, 30cm high and 1.5m, with yellow flowers all year round, from 2005-11. The flowers attract nectar feeding birds. This plant is a Bywong Nursery selection.
24 May 2021
Banksia ‘Bird Song’
We planted three of these hybrids, B. spinulosa ‘dwarf’ x ericifolia ‘Golden Girl’, in August 2013. These are hardy banksias, height 1.5m x 1.5m, which flower prolifically throughout autumn and winter with shiny green foliage and orange spikes of flower. Honeyeaters love this plant.
Correa ‘Catie Bec’
We have planted six of these shrubs, 1m x 1.5m wide, with pretty pink flowers, over the period 2018-21. In our garden they need some overhead protection.
Correa ‘Lemon Twist’
We have planted seven of these hybrid shrubs from 2015-21, C. reflexa var. nummularia x C. alba, 20cm high by 1m wide, which first occurred in the gardens of Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier. This plant has attractive shiny foliage and many well displayed lemon flowers over a long period.
Eremophila denticulata x calorhabdos
We planted eleven of these hardy shrubs, 2-3m high x 1.5m wide, with deep pink flowers, from 2013-8. Drought and frost tolerant and very vigorous, so vigorous that we have had to remove some shrubs as they were smothering other plants.
Westringia ‘Deeppurple’
We have planted 45 plants since 2012 of this form of Westringia ‘Wild River’, a small shrub, height 50cm, width 50cm, with lush green leaves and deep purple flowers throughout the year, from plant breeder Ian Shimmen.
Banksia menziesii (dwarf)
We planted this banksia, with toothed leaves and pink-mauve flowers in winter, in a pot in March 2010. This plant grows to height 2m, width 2m, and is native to the central west coast of WA.
31 May 2021
Starting at the tope left:
Banksia ‘Golden Girl’
We planted one of these specimens, supposedly a medium height shrub 1.8m high by 1.2m across, in July 2004, but ours has grown into a small tree, 3m high and 4m wide, with large golden flowers through winter and spring which attract birds to the garden. For the first few years this plant did not grow much, but after removal of nearby Acacia iteaphylla it made lots of new growth in 2008. Does the acacia limit the growth of nearby plants?
Correa 'Marian's Marvel'
We have planted 22 of this hybrid between C. backhousiana and C. reflexa, 2 m by 3 m across, from 2003-2019. This plant has dark green foliage and bell shaped flowers which are pink in upper section and lime green near the tip. Originally we took the advice that these plants liked shade and we had only mixed success with them. We then saw them growing beautifully in full sun at Murrumbateman, and tried cuttings from our original plants in a similar position. These plants have grown and flowered extremely well and frost does not bother them at all.
Correa alba ‘St. Andrews White’
We have planted twelve of these vigorous shrubs, 0.5m x 0.8m. with shiny healthy foliage and white flowers. The recommendation was for a partly shaded site, but our plants are happy in full sun and frost.
Grevillea ‘Little Sparkler’
This dwarf garden shrub, 50cm high x 80cm wide, with plenty of globular waxy orange and yellow flowers originates from south coast of NSW and flowers from early winter to late spring. This plant grows best in well drained soil in full sun and is hardy to both dry periods and frost. H. We have planted it in the top sand garden and top of lower sand garden. this plant flowered first for us in August 2020. Five planted in big planter near front door have all died.
Grevillea x ‘Semperflorens’
This cultivar was developed in England and was first formally described in 1937 by F.E. Briggs in The Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society of London as Grevillea semperflorens. We planted three in September 2007 and quickly realised our mistake as they grew much too large for their position and had to be removed. We planted another in February 2019 in a better spot, but this one disappeared for a few months, but has now reappeared and is flowering. The flowers are a lovely soft apricot colour.
Grevillea ‘Woolly Bear Hero’
Grevillea ‘Woolly Bear Hero’ is a selection of G. lanigera, a low plant about 1m wide, with attractive grey-green foliage and dark pink flowers over a long period. We have planted five of them over a five year period, 2010-15, in various parts of the garden and they perform well.
