October
Some plants in bloom in October
Click on any image to enlarge and scroll though all the images for each week.
Callistemon ‘Four Seasons’
21 October 2024
Starting from the top left:
Acacia pycnantha - Golden Wattle
Acacia pycnantha, or Golden Wattle, is the Australian national emblem and we tried to establish this tree in our garden four different times without long lasting success. This tree grows to 6m in height, with hanging branches, green sickle shaped phyllodes and large fragrant golden ball flowers and is native to NSW, ACT, Victoria and SA. Our first tree planted in March 2006 only lasted until December of the same year. The second tree, planted in November 2006, grew very well for a period, then got borer, lost half its mass, browned off and died in January 2014. The third tree, planted in October 2009 lost a large limb in a storm in December 2014 and was eventually uprooted, in full bud, in July 2016. The fourth tree was planted in December 2009 and was the Queanbeyan form, which bloomed for us for the first time in April 2011 with very different flowers from the other three, then died in December 2011. We are trying again with this iconic tree, planted October 2020. We have also planted another of the Queanbeyan form in December 2021. This tree is native to southeastern Australia.
Callistemon salignus - Willow Bottlebrush
We planted, in 2003 as part of our foundation planting, a hedge of 65 Callistemon salignus, Willow Bottlebrush. This plant develops into a small tree to 8m high with a dense habit, papery bark and narrow leaves with pink new growth. The flower spikes can be cream, red or pink. We have pruned these every two years for the first ten years and they are now 5m high and have formed a dense hedge beloved by birds. Eight of these trees were trashed by the fall of a large pine in July 2016. This plant is native to forests and woodlands from southeastern Queensland to southern New South Wales, usually in damp places.
Eremophila mackinlayii subsp. spathulata
This shrub, a chimera, 2.5m high x 1.5m wide, with grey green leaves and large blue-purple flowers is one of our most reliable bloomers in the garden. We planted one in October 2017 and another in May 2019. The first planted has grown to 2.5m high, is dense and well shaped and very rarely out of flower. Can be known as ‘Big John’.
Grevillea ‘Boongala Spinebill’
Grevillea ‘Boongala Spinebell’ is a favourite plant, probably a hybrid between G. bipinnatifida and G. caleyi. This plant forms a spreading shrub with deeply lobed leaves and bright red toothbrush flowers, and is said to grow to 2m high x 4m wide, but none of our plants has achieved this growth. Most have remained almost prostrate, spreading to 1m wide. We planted 5 of these around the edge of a bed between 2005 and 2009, but despite many efforts to keep them thriving we ended up removing them in 2015. They were battered by the frost. We tried again, planting three in November 2016 and another in February 2018, but only one remains. We now have one upright form, planted January 2023 growing and flowering well.
Hakea microcarpa
We planted Hakea microcarpa in March 2013. This is a prickly shrub to 2m high x 2.5m wide, which has grown only to 1m x 1m so far for us. This plant bloomed in our garden for the first time in October 2013 and has bloomed reliably each year since. This plant is native to the east coast of Australia.
Pimelea ferruginea ‘Magenta Mist’
We have planted eleven of these dense, rounded shrubs, 1m high and wide, with many magenta to pink terminal flower heads, from 2020-22. The small green oval opposite leaves are packed in four ranks around the stem.
7 October 2024
Starting from the top left:
Acacia gittinsii
We planted this shrub, 2-4m high x 1-2m wide, with globular flower heads and fine green phyllodes, in October 2019. This plant is native to the Blackdown Tableland, central highlands area, Queensland. Magnificent bloom in September 2023.
Aotus ericoides
We have planted two of these upright spreading shrubs, 0.5-1.5m high x 0.5 – 1.5m wide producing yellow flowers with a red centre, in 2019-2020. The first one died in the heat of December 2019, but the second persists in a pot and the long flowering stems, crowded with flowers, wave attractively in the wind. This plant is native to Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Look for leaves with recurved margins in pseudo whorls and absence of bracteoles (Aotus translates to no ears) Native to all states except NT.
Asterolasia ‘Lemon Essence’
We planted three of these compact shrubs, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with many lemon yellow star flowers, in September 2019. This cultivar was developed at the ANBG. We have planted another five in March 2023.
Boronia heterophylla red
We planted this upright shrub, 1-2m high x 1-2m wide, with fine bright green aromatic foliage and red bell shaped flowers, in a pot in October 2021. This plant prefers dappled shade and must be protected from frost and hot winds. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Boronia (pinnata x muelleri) ‘Showoff’
We planted this small plant with dainty aromatic foliage and soft pink star flowers in a pot in January 2023. This plant needs a well drained soil that remains moist all the time – morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Cut back by one third after flowering to keep bushy.
Melaleuca blaeriifolia
We planted two Melaleuca blaerifolia in October 2012 and another in March 2014, but these succumbed to the summer heat both in January and December 2014. I almost gave up on this plant but tried it again in March 2018 in the sand garden. Fourth time was a charm and this plant is at last doing well and has flowered for us. This species forms a small shrub 1m high x 1.5m wide with bright green, tiny foliage and white stems. The flowers are lime green with maroon buds. This plant is native to the Albany/Esperance area WA.
23 October 2023
Starting from the top left:
Boronia keysii
We planted this rare species of boronia from southeastern Queensland, height to 2m, with aromatic foliage and pink, star-shaped flowers in November 2019. This plant was lost to science for 62 years then rediscovered in 1971.
Eremophila glabra subsp. albicans (orange)
We have planted six of these rounded to spreading shrubs, 1-1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with sparsely hairy green-grey leaves and yellow-orange flowers, in October 2013. These plants respond well to pruning.
Grevillea ‘Sunrise’
Grevillea ‘Sunrise’ has been difficult to grow in our garden, but quite successful for other Canberra gardens. This plant forms a compact shrub, 0.5m high and 1m wide, with grey-green lobed leaves and large apricot flowers. We planted our first ‘Sunrise’ in March 2009, but it bloomed very sparsely, and we moved it to more sun. It promptly died. The second one was planted in March 2014 and has grown quite well and now is starting to flower.
Hibiscus geranioides
We planted this annual or biennial species, 0.75m high x 0.75m wide, with dark green, lobed leaves and delicate pink flowers with a darker throat, in a pot in October 2015. This charming plant flowers over many months. We removed our original plant in 2021, as it had grown too large for its position and was not blooming so freely, but the cutting Ben made is growing and flowering well. This plant is widespread in tropical areas of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. In common with most Hibiscus species, the individual flowers last only 1-2 days but new flowers continue to open over a long period. We prune it each year to keep it bushy.
Melaleuca fulgens apricot
We planted this shrub, 2.5m high x 1.5m wide, with narrow curved leaves and apricot bottlebrush flowers with golden anthers, in the ground in March 2015, and in a pot February 2020. The plant in the ground did not make it through winter 2015. The potted shrub has lovely flowers but, so far, forms a very skimpy bush. This plant is native to southwestern Western Australia, northwestern South Australia and southwestern Northern Territory.
Telopea ‘Essie’s Gift’
We planted this low growing compact form of waratah, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with deep pink blooms, in a pot, in September 2018. This plant need protection from the western sun.
9 October 2023
Starting from the top left:
Alyogyne huegelii blue
We planted this shrub, 2m x 2m, supposedly with blue flowers, in May 2020. This plant is native to dry summer areas from South Australia to southern Western Australia in a wide band along the coast. Our plant suffered somewhat from the frost of winter ’21 and its first flowers were not blue, but purple, in October 2020..
Boronia cymosa – Granite Boronia
We planted this small boronia with pink flowers in spring in clusters on long stems, in a pot, in April 2023. This plant prefers well drained soil and is moderately hardy in areas of winter rain, native to southwestern WA.
Callistemon ‘White Anzac’
We planted five of these low spreading evergreen shrubs, 1m high x 3m wide, with many white bottlebrush flowers in 2017-18. This plant is best in full sun or part shade in moist well drained soil.
Mirbelia oxylobioides
We have planted 17 of these hardy variable shrubs, 1m high and wide, with stiff, hairy, oblong leaves and orange-yellow pea flowers, from 2009-2011. We have five remaining which bloom cheerfully every year. This plant is native to NSW, ACT, and Victoria.
Phebalium whitei
We planted this evergreen shrub, 1.5m high, with conspicuous bright yellow flowers, in a pot, in August 2019. This plant is endemic to southeastern Queensland.
Prostanthera ovalifolia
Prostanthera ovalifolia, or Purple Mint Bush, is very popular and widely planted. This shrub grows to 2m high with oval leaves which are strongly aromatic and many purple flowers in spring. This plant is reputed to be one of the most reliable of the mint bushes, however in our early garden, without much protection, all 15 died after a couple of years. We now have just one planted in November 2019. This plant is native to the inland areas of NSW and southern Queensland.
31 October 2022
Starting from the top left:
Boronia clavata – Bremer Boronia
We planted this shrub which grows to 1.5-2m high, with narrow aromatic leaves clustered along the stem. and many yellowish-green flowers first in August 2014. The first plant died, so we tried again in October 2019 with more success. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Calytrix tetragona – Dwarf Fringe Myrtle
We have planted 17 of these shrubs, 1-2m high x 1-2m wide, with fine foliage on arching stems and pink or white star flowers, with colourful calyces, from 2010-18. These plants, native to eastern and southern Australia, including Tasmania, are very slow to grow in our garden but improve their flowering each year.
Grevillea ‘Bedspread’
We planted this prostrate cultivar in February 2004, a hybrid between G. wilkinsonii and G. ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’, with red toothbrush flowers that are darker and longer than ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’. This plant spreads 2-3 m, blooms all summer and is very popular with bees.
Hakea microcarpa
We planted Hakea microcarpa in March 2013. This is a prickly shrub to 2m high x 2.5m wide, which has grown only to 1m x 1m so far for us. This plant bloomed in our garden for the first time in October 2013 and has bloomed each year since. This plant is native to the east coast of Australia.
Isopogon formosus
We have planted six Isopogon formosus, or Rose Cone Flower, of which three remain. This bushy shrub can grow to 1.5m high, but ours are closer to 1m high. The prickly, divided foliage turns an attractive red at the tips during winter and the large, deep pink cone flowers last a long time. We also planted three Isopogon formosus, '‘Cherry’ in September 2016 - these are very similar to the species, and have grown well. This plant is native to the south coast of WA.
Leptospermum ‘Pageant’
We planted five Leptospermum ‘Pageant’ in 2005-6, but these became infected by webbing caterpillar and were removed. We have planted another four in September 2016 in the upper sand garden, hoping that the light soil and open position would protect them from caterpillars. So far these have grown well to 1m x 1.5m and the purple flowers are spectacular for a short period.
24 October 2022
Starting from the top left:
Acacia binervata
We planted this small tree 4-10mH x 4-10mW, with spreading habit, curved elliptic leaves and cream ball flowers in March 2013. This tree is native to coastal NSW and Queensland
Anopterus glandulosus - Native Laurel
Anopterus glandulosus or Native Laurel, is an endemic of Tasmania and is limited to rainforest areas. This plant forms an evergreen shrub, 2-4m high, sometimes a tree to 10m, with ‘lily of the valley’ flowers. We planted one in July 2014 and it flowered in October 2014, but died in the heat and dryness of January 2016. We have planted another, first in a pot in March 2021, then in the garden.
Aotus ericoides
We have planted two of these upright spreading shrubs, 0.5-1.5m high x 0.5 – 1.5m wide producing yellow flowers with a red centre, in 2019-2020. The first one died in the heat of December 2019, but the second persists in a pot and the long flowering stems wave attractively in the wind.
Boronias in pots flowering:
The following Boronias are in this photo:
Boronia muelleri x B. pinnata
We planted one of these hybrid boronias, 1.5m high, with fragrant leaves and light pink to purple flowers, in a pot in September 2020. This plant needs a sheltered position.
Boronia ‘Lipstick’
We planted this hybrid boronia, B. crassipes x B. heterophylla, height 1-2.5m x 50-75cm, an upright, evergreen shrub with narrow, aromatic leaves and many large, purple-pink bell shaped flowers, in a pot in September 2020.
Boronia heterophylla red
We p;lanted this upright shrub, 1-2m high x 1-2m wide, with fine bright green aromatic foliage and red bell shaped flowers, in a pot in October 2021. This plant prefers dappled shade and must be protected from frost and hot winds. A cockatoo halved it in October 2022, so we moved it to a more bird friendly position.
Boronia denticulata
We planted two of these shrubs, 1m high x 1m wide, with bright green aromatic leaves and many showy pink flowers, in 2011 and 2018. The first plant died of heat stress in January 2018, but the second persists, despite the horrors of summer 2020. This species is native to southwestern WA.
Boronia keysii
We planted this rare species of boronia from southeastern Queensland, height to 2m, with aromatic foliage and pink, star-shaped flowers in November 2019. This plant was lost to science for 62 years then rediscovered in 1971.
Boronia anemonifolia
We planted this upright shrub, 0.7mhigh x 0.6mwide, with narrow leaves and many small pink to white flowers in March 2018.
Hakea varia
Hakea varia, planted in October 2014, is a variable shrub which has grown to 1.5m high and wide in our garden. This plant is fearsomely prickly and had scented creamy axillary flowers for the first time in October 2017.
Telopea ‘Essie’s Gift’
We planted this low growing compact form of waratah, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with deep pink blooms, in a pot, in September 2018. This plant needs protection from the western sun.
17 October 2022
Starting from the top left:
Grevillea beadleana
We planted seven G. beadleana plants in our garden and have retained five of them. One was lost to heat and the other to frost. These plants form a dense spreading shrub approximately 2m x 2m, with soft greyish felted, divided leaves. The dark red toothbrush flowers make a pleasing contrast with the grey-green leaves. This plant only occurs in a small patch near Walcha, NSW and is listed as endangered in the wild.
Hakea macreana - Willow Needlewood
Hakea macraeana, or Willow Needlewood, is a joy in the garden as long as you give it enough room. This shrub grows to 4m high and 3.5m wide with soft green needle-like foliage and cream perfumed flowers in spring. We planted one in November 2013 and it has grown large, probably 3m high x 2m wide so far, flowering for the first time in September 2015. This plant is rare and threatened in its range on the south coast and southern tablelands of New South Wales to altitudes of 1,060 metres.
Pimelea nivea
We planted four Pimelea nivea in 2019-2020 of which three survive. One was ring-barked by a kangaroo in December 2019. These are upright shrubs, 1.5m high and 1m wide, with shiny dark green foliage with white underneath and scented white flowerheads. This plant is native to Tasmania.
Pimelea suavolens - Scented Banjine
We planted Pimelea suavolens, or Scented Banjine, in June 2017. This plant is a slender shrub with large, rather hairy, yellow flowers, native to southwestern WA. Our plant flowered in July 2018 and kept flowering until it died in September 2018. We now have planted one in a pot and it is flowering September and October 2022.
Prostanthera incana pink
We planted one Prostanthera incana pink in October 2012. This plant has grown to 1m x 1m for us and can grow to 1.5m x 1.5m with aromatic woolly leaves and pink flowers. It bloomed for the first time for us in September 2014 and blooms reliably each year. This plant is native to the woodlands of NSW and Victoria.
Telopea ‘Shady Lady White’
We planted this hybrid, T. speciossissima x oreades., height 3m x width 2m, with large white flowers, in a pot in September 2015.
10 October, 2022
Starting from the top left:
Grevillea ‘Crimson Villea’
We planted this compact grevillea with masses of showy crimson winter flowers, 80cm x 80cm, in February 2020. This cultivar of G. rosmarinifolia had its first flowers in September 2020.
Grevillea juniperina ‘Carpet Queen’
Grevillea juniperina ‘Carpet Queen’ is a tough plant for any position in the garden. We planted one in January 2004, another in October 2005 and a third in September 2006. We are left with one large plant and a couple of volunteers. The two others had to be removed as they outgrew their position, (bad planning on my part). This plant has dense prickly leaves with apricot flowers over a long period and is said to spread to 0.3m wide but has grown much larger than that in our garden. We have one plant hanging over the waterfall, which must be 3m in width, and has Eastern Spinebills nesting in it.
Hakea megadenia - Autumn Hakea
Hakea megadenia, or Autumn Hakea, is a bushy shrub to 5m tall with dull green leaves and creamy axillary flowers. This plant is endemic to Tasmania where it occurs along the east coast and the Furnaux Islands. We planted one in August 2019 and it has grown to 2m already and flowered first in September 2021.
Melaleuca blaeriifolia
We planted two Melaleuca blaerifolia in October 2012 and another in March 2014, but these succumbed to the summer heat both in January and December 2014. I almost gave up on this plant but tried it again in March 2018 in the sand garden. Fourth time was a charm and this plant is at last doing well and has flowered for us. This species forms a small shrub 1m high x 1.5m wide with bright green tiny foliage and white stems.The flowers are lime green with maroon buds. This plant is native to the Albany/Esperance area WA.
Pimelea ferruginea ‘Magenta Mist’
We have planted eleven of these dense, rounded shrubs, 1m high and wide, with many magenta to pink terminal flower heads, from 2020-22. The small green oval opposite leaves are packed in four ranks around the stem.
Prostanthera incisa
We love Prostanthera incisa and have planted 11 of these from 2012-2019. This plant grows to a rounded shrub 1.5m high and wide with small, toothed, very fragrant leaves and violet flowers. It is a great plant to trail your hand over at any time of the year. We did discover that these plants are very sensitive to lack of water and need consistent moisture throughout the summer. We have trimmed ours back many times and they respond vey well. This plant is native to rocky hilltops of eastern mainland Australia.
3 October, 2022
Starting from the top left:
Grevillea anethifolia
Our original plant of Grevillea anethifolia was given to us by Neil Marriott in 2014 and has proved very attractive in the garden. This plant is not endangered in the wild in WA and SA, but much of its natural habitat in NSW has been cleared. This plant suckers freely and supplies plenty of new plants for sharing. The foliage is dense and intricate, light green and the white flowers are prolific in spring. This plant should be cut back after flowering and will reward you with new growth.
Grevillea flexuosa
Grevillea flexuosa, or Zigzag Grevillea, has been a very successful plant for us. Our three specimens have been grafted, and we planted the original plant in a raised courtyard garden in September 2005. This plant was outstanding from the beginning and grew hugely, flowering from 2006 onwards with many scented cream rods over a long period. In 2016 it became too big for its spot and fell over, despite the fact that we hacked it back with a chainsaw every year. We persevered for another year then reluctantly removed this plant in January 2017. Reports from gardeners visiting our garden say that the success of this plant inspired them to try one as well. We planted another in November 2017, but this one was frosted off quickly. We have tried again in a more sheltered spot, planting in November 2019, and so far this one has doubled in size in just a few months and has bloomed over a long period. We hope that it can be as successful as our original plant. This plant comes from a few locations near Toodyay, Western Australia and is endangered in the wild, and was considered extinct a few years ago, but now regularly cultivated and available from specialist nurseries. The showy perfumed flowers tend to glow in low light and it remains in flower for several months.
Grevillea oleoides
Grevillea oleoides is a robust plant that grows and blooms well. We planted two in March 2006 and both grew to about 2.5m and bloomed reliably each year with clusters of red flowers. These plants are native to a restricted area of New South Wales near Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong. One plant eventually was removed in June 2016 and replaced.
Hakea nitida - Shining Hakea
We planted Hakea nitida, or Shining Hakea, in March 2010 and it has grown to 2m x 2m of prickly, green, toothed foliage, definitely a useful plant to form a barrier. Evidently this plant can grow to 4m x 5m, but is still much smaller than that in our garden. The flowers are very attractive, pink and white, occurring each spring since 2012. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Kennedia rubicunda
We planted two of these vigorous climbers, with oval green leaves in threes and red pea flowers, in 2012 and 2015. The first one died in February 2013, as it was too dry in that position. The second one is tied to a gum tree and bloomed for the first time in October 2015. We have had the best flowering ever for this plant in spring 2021. This plant is native to southeastern Queensland, through NSW to Victoria.
Pomaderris intermedia
We planted three of these slender shrubs, 3m high x 1.5m wide, with bright yellow flower heads, in September 2012. This is a showy species which grows well under trees if receiving some sun. This plant is native to southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.
19 October, 2020
To enlarge and scroll images, click once on the first image
Starting top left:
Telopea ‘Essies Gift’
Low growing compact form of waratah, 1m x 1.5m wide, with deep pink blooms, planted in a pot September 2018
Phebalium whitei
Small evergreen shrub with conspicuous bright yellow flowers in spring. Planted in a pot August 2019. Endemic to southeastern Queensland.
Pandorea pandorana ‘Tiffany’
Fast growing vine which flowers with large flowers, ivory on the outside and yellow with red markings on the inside. Needs frost protection so we have grown it under a perspex roof. Planted in March 2017.
Grevillea ‘Winter Flame’
Selected hybrid of G. alpina and G. rosmarinifolia with a display of red/gold flowers. Height 1m x width 1m. Blooms over a long period, winter and early spring. We planted nine of these in September 2016.
Leptospermum ‘Pageant’
A low spreading shrub that exhibits a spectacular display of purple flowers in spring. We planted four of these in September 2016.
26 October, 2020
To enlarge and scroll images, click once on the first image
Starting from the left
Acacia binervata
We planted this small tree 4-10mH x 4-10mW, with spreading habit, curved elliptic leaves and cream ball flowers in March 2013. This tree is native to coastal NSW and Queensland.
Alyogyne ‘Misty’
We planted three of these shrubs with attractive bluish foliage and many lilac flowers with a burgundy centre in December 2018 and they are now beginning to flower well..
Eremophila ‘Red Splendour’
We planted two ‘Red Spendour’ in October 2018 and 2019.. This upright shrub, E. splendens x calorhabdos, 1.2m high x 1.2m wide, has bright red flowers in late spring and summer.
Grevillea ‘Crimson Villea’
We planted this compact grevillea with masses of showy crimson winter flowers, 80cm x 80cm, in February 2020. This cultivar of G. rosmarinifolia had its first flowers in September 2020.
Grevillea flexuosa
Planted 9/05 (1) Planted 11/17 Phil Vaughan (1) Planted 11/19 (Kuranga)
We planted this open shrub to 2m high by 2m across in November 2019, with grey-green divided leaves and dense cream flowers are borne in candle like spikes to 4cm long in spring. Considered extinct a few years ago, but now regularly cultivated and available from specialist nurseries. The showy perfumed flowers tend to glow in low light and it remains in flower for several months.
4 October 2021
Starting from the top left:
Grevillea speciosa x G. oldei
We planted this spreading shrub, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with profuse dark pink flowers, in February 2015. This plant needs freely draining acidic soils in sun or dappled shade and flowers over a long period.
Grevillea ‘Sid Reynolds’
Grevillea ‘Sid Reynolds’ (photos above), planted in September 2014, has already grown to a dense rounded shrub 2.5m high and wide with lovely spider flowers of red and pink with a yellow limb. We saw a shrub of ‘Sid’ in South Australia at P Botanic Gardens which was much larger, probably 4m x 4m, in full flower, a magnificent sight.
Pomaderris intermedia
We planted three of these slender shrubs, 3m high x 1.5m wide, with bright yellow flower heads, in September 2012. This is a showy species which grows well under trees if receiving some sun. This plant is native to southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.
Prostanthera Incisa
We love Prostanthera incisa and have planted 11 of these from 2012-2019. This plant grows to a rounded shrub 1.5m high and wide with small, toothed, very fragrant leaves and violet flowers. It is a great plant to trail your hand over at any time of the year. We did discover that these plants are very sensitive to lack of water and need consistent moisture throughout the summer. We have trimmed ours back many times and they respond vey well. This plant is native to rocky hilltops of eastern mainland Australia.
Prostanthera incana pink
We planted one Prostanthera incana pink in October 2012. This plant has grown to 1m x 1m for us and can grow to 1.5m x 1.5m with aromatic woolly leaves and pink flowers. It bloomed for the first time for us in September 2014 and blooms reliably each year. This plant is native to the woodlands of NSW and Victoria
Viola banksii (was hederacea?) blue - Native Violet
We have planted 13 of these small spreading groundcovers which form extensive mats in damp areas. this species has round leaves and really beautiful blue flowers for long periods. these plants are hardy in full sun to full shade and die back in winter. We find it gets beaten down by the sun and needs protection.
11 October 2021
Starting at the top left:
Acacia triptera – Spur Wing Wattle
We planted this showy spreading shrub, 2.5m high x 1.5m wide, with curved foliage with sharp points and yellow rod flowers, in April 2017. An earlier planting in December 2008 died in heat in January 2010. This wattle is native to Queensland and NSW – rare in Victoria.
Asterolasia ‘Lemon Essence’
We planted three of these compact shrubs, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with many lemon yellow star flowers, in September 2019. This cultivar was developed at the ANBG.
Boronia keysii
We planted this rare species of boronia from southeastern Queensland, height to 2m, with aromatic foliage and pink, star-shaped flowers in November 2019. This plant was lost to science for 62 years then rediscovered in 1971.
Boronia megastigma ‘Dark Prince’
We planted this version of the popular Brown Boronia, Boronia megastigma, height 80cm x width 50cm, a compact plant with dark brown flowers with yellow inside, in November 2019. This plant has a magnificent perfume, but is what we call a fainter – needs regular water.
Grevillea crithmifolia
We planted one of these compact shrubs, 2m high x 1m wide, with light green leaves, divided at the end into three narrow segments, and dense clusters of white or pink flowers, in April 2006. This plant bloomed well until it blew over over in the wind February 2009. Ben staked it back and it grew so large that we removed it in March 2014 as it grew too big for its position. This plant is native to the area from Mandurah to Wanneroo, WA. We have planted another in a roomier position September 2020 which is flowering now, October 2021.
Grevillea endlicheriana
Grevillea endlicheriana, or Spindly Grevillea, is one of our favourite grevilleas. According to Peter Olde, it is also one of the most primitive of the grevilleas and grows on the Darling Scarp east of Perth and near the Wongan Hills. We planted one in March 2006, and being informed that it was frost sensitive, placed it under some cover. It forms an open shrub which can be 2.5m high and 4m wide, but in our garden is smaller, about 1.5m high and wide. It forms a vase shaped plant with very attractive narrow grey leaves on arching branches. The pink and white flowers occur at the ends of the branches, and in our experience, resent being pruned. We trimmed the branches of our original plant and it sulked for a couple of years. We planted another in September 2008 and took the chance to plant it in the open. This second plant is much more successful and does not flinch at the frost at all. We ended up removing the original plant in March 2017 as it was not getting enough sun.
18 October 2021
Starting from the top left:
Aotus ericoides
We have planted two of these upright spreading shrubs, 0.5-1.5m high x 0.5 – 1.5m wide producing yellow flowers with a red centre, in 2019-2020. The first one died in the heat of December 2019, but the second persists in a pot and the long flowering stems wave attractively in the wind.
Boronia muelleri soft pink – Forest Boronia
We planted this shrub, 1.2-2m x 1.2-2m wide, with reddish branches, aromatic green pinnate foliage, and dark pink buds followed by pink flowers, in a pot in November 2019.
Brachyscome formosa ‘Bonstar Mauve’
We planted three of these compact groundcovers, with mauve flowers in February 2015. These plants will tolerate only light frosts so we have planted them under a cypress where they have spread and flowered well each year
Eremophila ‘Crazy Gal’
We have planted nine of this hybrid between E. glabra x maculata subsp. maculata, which forms a compact shrub, 1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with large scarlet tubular flowers with a spotted orange throat, in 2020-21. Two are in large pots and the remainder are in a sunny, but vulnerable part of the garden, where one was run over by a delivery driver 10 March 2021. This plant originated in Russell Wait’s garden in Swan Hill, Victoria, from an E. maculata seed.
Grevillea anethifolia
Our original plant of Grevillea anethifolia was given to us by Neil Marriott in 2014 and has proved very attractive in the garden. This plant is not endangered in the wild in WA and SA, but much of its natural habitat in NSW has been cleared. This plant suckers freely and supplies plenty of new plants for sharing. The foliage is dense and intricate, light green and the white flowers are prolific in spring. This plant should be cut back after flowering and will reward you with new growth.
Hakea varia
Hakea varia, planted in October 2014, is a variable shrub which has grown to 1.5m high and wide in our garden. This plant is fearsomely prickly and had scented creamy axillary flowers for the first time in October 2017
25 October 2021
Starting from the top left:
Boronia ‘Plum Bells’
We planted this hybrid boronia, B. ‘Moonglow’ x B. megastigma, 1m high and wide, bred by King’s Park, Perth, with many plum bells and slender aromatic leaves. in a pot in November 2020.
Eremophila granitica
We planted this shrub, height 1.5m, with pink cup flowers in May 2020. This plant is widespread and common in the area between Kalgoorlie and Murchison, WA.
Grevillea wilkinsonii
We planted a group of three Tumut Grevilleas, Grevillea wilkinsonii, which are rare and endangered in the wild, in October 2016. G. wilkinsonii was first discovered in 1991 along the banks of the Goobarragandra River near Tumut in NSW. They form an upright bush with distinctive toothed foliage and the flowers are pinkish-mauve spider flowers with a rather unpleasant smell of unwashed socks.
Melaleuca blaerifolia
We planted two Melaleuca blaerifolia in October 2012 and another in March 2014, but these succumbed to the summer heat both in January and December 2014. I almost gave up on this plant but tried it again in March 2018 in the sand garden. Fourth time was a charm and this plant is at last doing well and has flowered for us. This species forms a small shrub 1m high x 1.5m wide with bright green tiny foliage and white stems.The flowers are lime green with maroon buds. This plant is native to the Esperance area WA.
Pimelea nivea
We planted four Pimelea nivea in 2019-2020 of which three survive. One was ring-barked by a kangaroo in December 2019. These are upright shrubs, 1.5m high and 1m wide, with shiny dark green foliage with white underneath and scented white flowerheads.
Telopea ‘Corroboree’
We planted this hybrid, T. speciosissima x mongaensis, .with deep red blooms and pinkish tips, in a pot in September 2019.
