By Beatrice Hawkins
In a previous column I wrote very briefly of the wreath flower of W.A. It is really a very wonderful sight to see in the bush as to be almost unbelievable. The name correctly describes it as it does look just like a wreath that could be used on Anzac day.
Travelling north from Perth with my daughter and grandchildren towards Cervantes they stopped so I could take pictures of Kangaroo paw on the roadside. As I walked a little further off the road over what appeared to be barren gravelly soil, I saw these beautiful circles of flowers lying flat on the ground. I had never heard of them or ever envisioned that there could possibly be anything like them growing anywhere.
The botanical name is Lechenaultia macrantha and it is a low growing plant that can extend up to a metre and more across. The centre is the green leaves with the flowers at the end forming the wreath. It seems to come in shades from cream, through to yellow and pale pink and then to a deeper purple/red. It is a late winter to early spring flower and likes the dry sandy coastal soils some distance north from Perth. Once seen will never been forgotten.
Apparently they are fairly easy to strike from cuttings if you have the right climate and soil type. Unfortunately we don’t have that here on the Downs or anywhere else in the eastern states so you will have to make do with photographs if a trip to WA at the right time of year is not on your “bucket list”. I count myself extremely fortunate to have seen them growing.
Eucalyptus deglupta is another interesting tree. We tend to think all gum trees as native to Australia but this one is actually also native to New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is the only species of eucalypt that is not naturally confined to Australia. It is confined here to limited coastal areas of North Queensland.
It is known as the rainbow tree or Mindanao gum, one because of its spectacular rainbow bark and the other because it is native to Mindanao. It is cultivated in the Philippines as the primary source of wood pulp for the making of white paper.
It sheds its bark periodically though the year revealing the bright green trunk. This in turn colours on exposure to the elements to red, purple, orange and blue and all shades in between, giving a real rainbow effect. Maybe I am going to have to do a trip to the area in the north of our state to see this for myself. It certainly looks spectacular in photographs.
The rain continues and is still being welcomed by gardeners and farmers alike. I am still pulling pig weed from my garden and lawn as with each shower more seems to germinate. I did succumb and spray it and it has knocked it sideways but has not killed it yet… it does however look very sick where it has been sprayed. Even though I looked up recipes to use it in cooking I haven’t as yet tried any… not quite that adventurous!
Once again I will remind everyone that the annual autumn flower show will be held next week on Wednesday and Thursday. The venue is St Mary’s Hall in Wood Street. Entries in the competition are free and just drop them to the hall between 8 and 10 am on Wednesday with the show open to the public from 12 noon and again from 9am on Thursday. If you are a member of the Society entry to the show is free or if you aren’t a member it is only $3.
As I have been driving around the Rose City, I see many beautiful specimens in gardens that have benefited from our change in weather.
While plants and flowers and all things gardening are the reason for the Show in our 112th year, an enjoyable side benefit is the wonderful food that will be available.
We have some great cooks in the Society and a range of freshly made sandwiches, scones and jam and cream and an array of delectable sweet treats will be for sale with your choice of tea and coffee. Everything you need for a delightful morning or afternoon tea or a light lunch and a catch up with friends.
As I’ve said before, we supply the venue but the dedicated gardeners of our city supply the display. Without them and without others coming to see it all, we would have no show.
So, make a date and come see what our town has to offer in flowers and produce even though we have had a terribly dry time. See you there!!
*This is an old article that has been digitised so our readers have access to our full catalogue.
