November
Some plants that are in bloom in November
Click on any image to enlarge and scroll though all the images for each week.
Westringia ‘Deeppurple’
18 November 2024
Starting from the top left:
Alyogyne huegelii ‘Misty’
We planted three of these shrubs with attractive bluish foliage and many lilac flowers with burgundy centres, in December 2018. These plants bloom very generously over several months.
Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’
We have about 30 of this C. viminalis cultivar with a weeping habit and red brushes, forming a small tree to 4.5m high, named after the late Mrs. Harry Hazlewood (nee Miss Hannah Ray).
Calothamnus quadrifidus Pencil Form
We planted two of these vertical shrubs, growing 30-40cm wide and 2m high, with red flowers on old stems, in April 2018. This plant is ideal for a narrow spot and is suitable for shady positions in all soil types. Both plants browned off over winter 2018 but tolerated winter 2019 better. Both flowered in November 2019 and in the years after with showy red blooms along old stems. We planted three more in September 2023, and another two in October 2023.
Cassinia aureonitens – Yellow Cassinia
We planted three of these erect shrubs, 1.5-2.5m high x 1.5-2m wide, with dark green linear leaves and dense clusters of bright yellow flowers, in February 2022. These plants will thrive in full sun or shady positions in free draining soils and have moderate frost and drought tolerance. This species is native to NSW from Taree to Eden.
Chamelaucium ‘Paddy’s Pink’
We have planted 24 of this hybrid between C. uncinatum and Verticordia plumosa, from 2017-2022. This plant forms a bushy shrub, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with narrow grey foliage with a spicy fragrance and heads of mauve pink flowers for many months in spring and early summer. This plant needs a sunny position in free draining soil and is tolerant of drought and moderate frosts. It was developed by King’s Park Botanic Garden.
Jacksonia scoparia
We planted seven of these handsome foliage plants, attractive in flower, to 4m high by 2m across, in 2007-8. These plants feature leafless grey-green branches, often pendulous, and profuse yellow and red pea flowers which occur in spring for an all too short period. This plant is native to coastal NSW and Queensland. We have planted another two of these in 2021 in a pot and transplanted them into the garden in 2022.
4 November 2024
Starting from the top left:
Corymbia eximia nana - Yellow Bloodwood
We planted one Corymbia eximia nana or Yellow Bloodwood in the new sand garden in March 2917 and another in the side garden in May 2015 after raising it in a pot for a year. This is a dwarf version of the larger Corymbia eximia, with a large leaf and creamy yellow flowers. The dwarf version can grow to 6-8m x 4-6m, but ours are much smaller, perhaps 3m high, and one has finally flowered magnificently in October 2023. This plant is native to the central coast and adjacent ranges of NSW.
Eucalyptus gregsoniana – Wolgan Snow Gum
We planted two of these evergreen, multi-stemmed, bushy eucalypts, 2-7m high, with white flowers, in November 2003. This tree is native to the central and southern highlands of NSW and withstands cold winters and hot summers. Our larger tree died suddenly in July 2008, but the smaller one has persisted until June 2021, when after a year of looking poorly, we coppiced it and it has responded well.
Grevillea olivacea ‘Red Prolific’
We planted Grevillea olivacea ‘Red Prolific’ in February 2021, a bushy rounded shrub, 1.5-2.5m high and wide, with greyish rounded foliage and clusters of red flowers in mid spring and early summer.
Hakea cinerea - Ashy Hakea
Hakea cinerea or Ashy Hakea forms a stiff shrub to 2.5m high with rigid grey leaves and yellow flowers in clusters in the leaf axils. The fruits are narrow and pointed. We planted two of these, one in May 2009 and another in October 2010, but neither proved really satisfactory. The first one is planted under some protection and persists, but without flowers. The second one, more in the open, was frosted off and removed in September 2014. This plant is native to the Esperance area of WA. We now have planted two more, one in 2021 and another in 2023, which are thriving.
Melaleuca wilsonii
We planted one Melaleuca wilsonii, or Wilson’s Honey Myrtle, in April 2007 and it first bloomed for us in November 2008. This plant forms an evergreen shrub to 1.5m with narrow leaves and reddish pink flowers in clusters along the stems. We had successful flowering from 2008-2014 until this plant blew over in a storm. We saw magnificent specimens of this plant on our trip to Ballarat and decided to try again in March 2018. However, this plant has been slow to grow, only being 0.5m high, but has flowered well since 2022. This plant is native to southeastern South Australia and northwestern Victoria in dry, sandy soils
Ricinocarpus tuberculatus ‘Bridal Star’
We planted one Wedding Bush in March 2017. This medium-sized shrub, 1-2m high x 1m wide, has narrow leaves and many scented white flowers in spring. This plant blooms over a long period.
19 November 2023
Starting from the top left:
Brachychiton ‘Griffith Pink’
We planted this hybrid tree, B. populneus x discolor, height 6-8m, width 3-4m after 15-20 years, with glossy lobed foliage and clusters of pink flowers that appear in summer, in November 2015. The flowers are attractive to birds. This plant had a miraculous escape from fall of a large pine in July 2016. Despite growing really well it lost all its beautiful leaves over winter ’17. This tree had lots of new growth by December 2018 and had no loss of leaves through winter ’19 or since.
Callistemon ‘Packer’s Selection’
We planted two Callistemon ‘Packer’s Selection’ at the entrance to our garden in February 2008. This bottlebrush has weeping green foliage and deep red flowers. It grows to 1.5m x 1.5m and blooms several times each year. Birds love the flowers and rip them off the bush.
Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’
We have about 30 of this C. viminalis cultivar with a weeping habit and red brushes, forming a small tree to 4.5m high, named after the late Mrs. Harry Hazlewood (nee Miss Hannah Ray).
Hakea mitchellii
We obtained seeds of Hakea mitchellii from Little Desert in Victoria, germinated them and planted three of them in the garden in December 2015. One was almost immediately uprooted by a raven and another died in a hot spell in January 2017. The remaining plant is thriving and flowered for the first time in December 2018. This plant forms a rounded shrub 2m high and wide with bright green foliage, very attractive red stems and white flowers. This species is mostly native to South Australia, occurring on Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, Kangaroo Island and south of the Murray River to Naracoorte, but also extending into western Victoria.
Jacksonia scoparia
We planted seven of these handsome foliage plants, attractive in flower, to 4m high by 2m across, in 2007-8. These plants feature leafless grey-green branches, often pendulous, and profuse yellow and red pea flowers which occur in spring for an all too short period. This plant is native to coastal NSW and Queensland. Two plants have died but we planted another two in 2021 in a pot and planted them in the garden in 2022..
Melaleuca decussata dwarf
We planted ten of these evergreen small shrubs with fine blue-green foliage and mauve bottle brush type flowers, half in 2004-6 and half in 2017-8. Height to 1m. Many of the early plants succumbed to webbing caterpillar, but the remaining three are thriving.
5 November 2023
Starting from the top left:
Corymbia eximia nana - Yellow Bloodwood
We planted one Corymbia eximia nana or Yellow Bloodwood in the new sand garden in March 2017 and another in the side garden in May 2015 after raising it in a pot for a year. This is a dwarf version of the larger Corymbia eximia, with a large leaf and creamy yellow flowers. The dwarf version can grow to 6-8m x 4-6m, but ours are much smaller, perhaps 3m high, and one flowered for the first time 2023. This plant is native to the central coast and adjacent ranges of NSW.
Eremophila mackinlayii subsp. spathulata
This shrub, 1.5m x 1.5m, 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.
Eucalyptus risdonii - Risdon Peppermint
We planted this tree, height 8m, endemic to the dry slopes on the eastern side of the River Derwent near Risdon and Grass Tree Hill in southern Tasmania, in June 2016. This tree has smooth bark, egg-shaped blue-grey juvenile leaves arranged in opposite pairs, white flowers and cup-shaped fruit. Our first flowers arrived in October 2022.
Hakea teretifolia - Dagger Hakea
Hakea teretifolia, or Dagger Hakea, grows to 3m high and is another bird refuge with prickly leaves. We planted one in August 2018 and have been rewarded with scented creamy white flowers in November 2019 and subsequent years. This plant is native from Coffs Harbour south through the Sydney region to the Budawang Range, New South Wales.
Leptospermum ‘Mesmer Eyes’
We have planted nine of these hardy shrubs from 2005-07, 1.5m high x 1m wide with large flowers that open white and change to pink as they age. The colour change gives the plant a delightful two toned appearance and the stamens around the dark centres resemble large eyes. We wish that the flowers lasted longer.
Melaleuca wilsonii
We planted one Melaleuca wilsonii, or Wilson’s Honey Myrtle, in April 2007 and it first bloomed for us in November 2008. This plant forms an evergreen shrub to 1.5m with narrow leaves and reddish pink flowers in clusters along the stems. We had successful flowering from 2008-2014 until this plant blew over in a storm. We saw magnificent specimens of this plant on our trip to Ballarat and decided to try again in March 2018. This plant is native to southeastern South Australia and northwestern Victoria in dry, sandy soils
28 November 2022
Starting from the top left:
Acacia falcata
We planted one of these slender trees, 2–5 m high, in September 2017, with grey or black bark, pale green, sickle-shaped phyllodes and small round cream or pale-yellow flowers followed by thin seed pods This plant is native to slopes of eastern NSW and Queensland.
Alyogyne huegelii ‘Misty’
We planted three of these shrubs with attractive bluish foliage and many lilac flowers with burgundy centres in December 2018. These plants bloom very generously over several months.
Callistemon ‘Rosy Dawn’
We planted Callistemon ‘Rosy Dawn’ in May 2011 on the edge of our large pond. This plant has grown enthusiastically to 2m x 1.5m with plenty of deep pink/purple brushes. We have had to cut it back on one side as it was shading a couple of choice banksias, but it remains healthy.
Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’ or ‘Rowena’
We planted nine Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’, now called ‘Rowena’, in 2004-6 to edge the upper pond. These plants have performed extremely well, growing to 2m x 2m even after much trimming. The flowers are a bright lolly pink, aging to a deep pink, and last for a long time.
Chrysocephalum apiculatum “Sun Buttons’
We planted this hardy form, 0.3m high x 0.5m wide, which suckers and produces many bright gold buttons in clusters above fine grey-green foliage, in November 2019. This plant is frost tolerant and grows best in full sun and is adaptable to well drained moist soils.
Eremophila mackinlayii subsp. spathulata
This shrub, 1.5m x 1.5m, 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.
21 November 2022
Starting from the top left:
Atractocarpus chartaceus (was Randia chartacea) – Narrow-Leaved Gardenia
We planted this bushy shrub, 2-3m high x 2-3m wide, with dark green glossy foliage and sweetly scented pure white flowers and bright red edible fruit, in a pot, in August 2019. This plant needs protection from direct sun and is native to subtropical rainforest in northern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland.
Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’ or ‘Rowena’
We planted nine Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’, now called ‘Rowena’, in 2004-6 to edge the upper pond. These plants have performed extremely well, growing to 2m x 2m even after much trimming. The flowers are a bright lolly pink, aging to a deep pink, and last for a long time.
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 and crushed many. 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.
Prostanthera gilesii
We planted three Prostanthera gilesii under some overhead protection in February 2017, but two of these have not thrived in our garden. They form a small compact plant, 1m x 1m, with dark green shiny leaves and large white to cream flowers blotched with violet in the throat. One plant did bloom sparsely for the first time in December 2017, but now has grown well and is in full bloom. This plant is native to the area around Orange and Bathurst in NSW and is listed as critically endangered.
Scaevola ‘Aussie Salute’
We planted three of these upright plants, 40cm high and wide, with many pink fan flowers covering bright green foliage, in shallow pots, in November 2022. These plants prefer a moist well drained soil in filtered to full sun and are tolerant of light frost and drought.
Viola banksii (was hederacea) ‘Monga Magic’
We planted three of these large flowered forms of Viola, height 10cm, with attractive pale blue flowers most times of the year, in pots, in November 2022. This plant, a Bywong Nursery selection, is low growing, spreads by runners, and is best in moist, semi-shade or full sun.
14 November 2022
Starting from the top left:
Anigozanthos ‘Bush Pearl’
We planted three of these plants, height 0.5m, in November 2008, which initially bloomed for months. We divided them several times before eventually removing them in Decenmber 2013, as they were not doing well. We have now planted two in a trough in December 2019 and these are performing well so far.
Callistemon ‘Bronwen’
Callistemon ‘Bronwen’ is a showy cultivar, 2m high x 2.5m wide, with hard, dull green foliage and large pink/purple bottlebrush flowers. We planted one in September 2014 and it first bloomed in November 2015.
Callistemon salignus - Willow Bottlebrush
We planted, in 2003 as part of our foundation planting, a hedge of 65 Callistemon salignus, Willow Bottlebrush, or Melaleuca salicina as it is sometimes known now. 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 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 alternifolia x bignoniflora ‘Meringur Crimson’
We have planted four of these shrubs, 3m x 2m, with long thin pendulous foliage and pinkish crimson flowers in 2018-19. These plants need well drained soil in full sun to part shade and are tolerant of drought and frost. The cultivar from the nursery is definitely pink and should properly be called ‘Meringur Pink’, while the one from a friend is truly vibrant crimson.
Eucalyptus risdonii – Risdon Peppermint
We planted this tree, height 8m, endemic to the dry slopes on the eastern side of the River Derwent near Risdon and Grass Tree Hill in southern Tasmania, in June 2016. This tree has smooth bark, egg-shaped blue-grey juvenile leaves arranged in opposite pairs, white flowers and cup-shaped fruit. Our first flowers arrived in October 2022
Leptospermum ‘Tickled Pink’
.We planted this upright and spreading shrub, 2 m high x 1.5 m wide, with linear leaves and bright pink flowers with green centres, in October 2005. This hybrid is a cross between Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’ and L. ‘Rhiannon’ produced by Bywong Nursery, near Bungdendore, NSW.
7 November 2022
Starting from the top left:
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.
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 ‘Moe Gem’
We planted this hybrid between G. ‘Poorinda Peter’ x G. ‘Nectar Delight’, height 0.5-0.75m x width 3-4m, a dense plant with ruby toothbrush flowers and attractive lobed foliage with red new growth, in January 2021.
Hakea purpurea
We planted two Hakea purpurea, one in March 2013 and the other in May 2016. This plant is a medium shrub, 2m x 2m, with narrow leaves and pinkish purple flowers in winter and spring. One plant struggled and was eventually removed while the other first bloomed in October 2015 and continues to do so. This plant is native to central Queensland and has an isolated occurrence in hills north of Yetman, New South Wales
Myoporum floribundum – Slender Myoporum
One of our favourite shrubs in the garden, a 3m x 3m shrub, with horizontal branches carrying drooping, long, aromatic leaves and white sweetly scented flowers. This shrub is native to southeastern NSW and northeastern 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.
2 November 2020
Starting in the top left:
Prostanthera linearis
We planted this evergreen shrub with aromatic narrow foliage and masses of violet flowers about one year ago. Our first blooms were in September 2020 and they have lasted two months at least. This plant is native to NSW and Queensland.
Prostanthera ‘Mauve Mantle’
We planted this groundcover with small dark green leaves and pale mauve flowers in May 2019. Although still small, this plant has flowered well in October 2020.
Prostanthera staurophylla – Tenterfield Mintbush
We have planted 20 of this rare, compact shrub, 1m x 1m, with grey-green fragrant leaves and mauve flowers over seven years. Ben has made cuttings, but most of these died in the frost of winter 2015. We still have five plants remaining which are blooming well this year. This plant is native to the area around Tenterfield, NSW.
Ricinocarpus tuberculatus ‘Bridal Star’
We planted one Wedding Bush in March 2017. This medium-sized shrub,
1-2mH x 1mW, with narrow leaves, has many strongly scented white flowers in spring. This species is native to southwestern WA.
Scaevola ‘Purple Fanfare’
We have planted 20 of this free flowering form of Scaevola aemula from Diamond Head, NSW. Slugs love them – put down slug bait. The flowers are purple and last for many months.
9 November 2020
Starting from the top left above
Anigozanthos ‘Bush Dance’
We have two plants in a pot with red and green flowers on spectacular furry red stems with pale green foliage. This plant is short-lived and we have replaced it in a pot several times 2010, 2012, 2019. Height 60cm x width 45cm
Billardiera cymosa ‘Purple’
We planted this light twining climber to 2m tin November 2019. The fine foliage is green and purple flowers appear in spring and summer. First flowers 10/20.
Boronia molloyae
This plant grows in sandy soils in the southwestern coastal regions of Western Australia and was named after Georgiana Molloy, early botanist, 1805-43. It is a slender shrub with many purple-pink bell flowers along the stems. Our original plant, planted March 2016, died in the heat in January 2018. Ben had taken three cuttings and we potted these up in February 2019 and they have thrived.
Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’ or ‘Rowena’
We planted eight of these rounded shrubs in 2004-6. This plant grows to 1.5m tall and 1.5m across with profuse flowers which are a bright lolly pink aging to a deep pink. We have purned this callistemon often.
Grevillea longistyla
We planted this fast growing evergreen shrub with showy red-orange flowers in November 2019. Height 3-4m. First blooms 10/20.
Melia azedarach ‘Caroline’
We planted this selection of Melia which features a more controlled upright even, growth habit in November 2015. This tree has soft green pinnate foliage and lilac flowers – an excellent spreading shade tree with spring flowers and yellow autumn colour. 10m high x 6 m wide.
Swainsona galegifolia burgundy
We planted 10 specimens of this upright plant to 1.5m high with many stems of pinnate leaves and sprays of burgundy pea flowers in autumn 2016. Protect from snails and slugs.
16 November, 2020
Starting at the left
Alyogyne ‘Karana’
We planted this shrub with attractive bluish foliage and masses of mauve trumpets clustered along stems in October 2012. This plant is only moderately frost tolerant, and ours was frosted off several times, however it does bounce back with abundant flowers. Height 1.5m x width 1.5m.
Calothamnus quadrifidus Pencil Form
We planted two of these upright shrubs, growing 30-40cm wide and 2m high, with red flowers on old stems, in April 2018
Hymenosporum flavum – Native Frangipani
We planted two of these fast growing evergreen trees with glossy foliage and clusters of very fragrant cream flowers aging to gold in 2014. Height to 10m.
Jacksonia scoparia
We planted seven of these handsome foliage plants, attractive in flower, to 4m high by 2m across, in 2007-8. These plants feature leafless grey-green branches, often pendulous, and profuse yellow and red pea flowers which occur in spring. Native to coastal NSW and Queensland..
Leptospermum ‘Outrageous’
We planted ‘Outrageous’, a medium-tall shrub with drooping branches with abundant deep red flowers in October 2005. This shrub will grow approximately 2m tall by 1.5m wide.
Melaleuca decussata dwarf
We planted ten of these evergreen small shrubs with fine blue-green foliage and mauve bottle brush type flowers half in 2004-6 and half in 2017-8. Height to 1m. Many of the early plants succumbed to webbing caterpillar.
23 November, 2020
Starting from the left with the first two images being the Ammobium
Ammobium alatum – Tall Ammobium
A greyish-white leaved perennial with branched, winged flower stems to 1m tall, yellow centred, surrounded by white papery bracts. Has spread widely within our garden, but not elsewhere. Rosellas love the mature seeds. This shrub is native to NSW, Victoria and Queensland, but has naturalised elsewhere.
Callistemon ‘Pink Champagne’
This is our favourite callistemon, an upright tall shrub which produces beautiful pink brushes several times a year. Height to 3m, width 2m.
Eremophila calorhabdos
Upright spindly shrub from 1m to 4m high by 1.5m wide or less with serrated green leaves and bright pink flowers. This shrub is native to southwestern WA.
Senna aciphylla
A neat green leaved shrub, 0.5-1.5mH x 0.5-1mW with bright yellow flowers. This plant is native to eastern mainland Australia.
Verticordia monodelpha – Woolly Feather Flower
This shrub from southwestern WA, 1.5m high and rounded, has pink feathery flowers over a long period.
30 November, 2020
Starting from the left:
Callistemon ‘Hannah Ray’
We have about 30 of this C. viminalis cultivar with a weeping habit and red brushes, forming a small tree to 4.5m high, named after the late Mrs. Harry Hazlewood (nee Miss Hannah Ray).
Eremophila foliosissima
We have this dense shrub, 0.75m x 1.5m, with evergreen leaves and purple flowers, in a pot. The name means many leaved. This shrub is native to central WA.
Hibbertia pedunculata ‘Boomers’
We have several pots of this groundcover, prostrate to 1m wide, with a display of bright yellow flowers on dense green foliage.
Myoporum floribundum
One of our favourite shrubs in the garden, a 3m x 3m shrub with horizontal branches carrying drooping, long, aromatic leaves and white sweetly scented flowers. This shrub is native to southeastern NSW and northeastern Victoria.
Pandorea jasminoides ‘Lady Di’
A dense vigorous climber, long-blooming, with many delicate white trumpet flowers with golden throats and a sweet fragrance.
1 November 2021
Starting from the top left:
Billardiera ringens – Chapman River Climber
We planted this light climber with dark green leathery foliage and large clusters of orange-red tubular flowers, in a hanging basket in August 2021.This plant responds to pruning and needs good drainage in a sunny to partly shaded position. This species is native to the the area between Kalbarri and Mingenew, WA.
Boronia crenulata ‘Super Dooper’
We planted one of these shrubs, 1m x 1m, with light green foliage and candy-pink star flowers, in September 2020. This plant is tolerant of only light frosts and must be protected in Canberra.
Eremophila drummondii
We have planted four of these shrubs, 0.5-1.3m high x 0.5-1m wide, with narrow sticky leaves and purple tubular flowers, from 2011-2018. The oldest one was removed 2013 and the compact form died 2019, and one of the broad leaf forms in 2021. We have one broad leaf form remaining. This plant is native to southwestern Western Australia.
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.
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 repeated this bloom each year since. This plant is native to the east coast of Australia.
Indigofera coronillifolia
We planted four of these open spreading shrubs, 1.5m high x 1m wide, with small grey leaves and hot pink flowers in September 2017. Our first flowers were in October 2019. Not much of a plant in our garden. One plant is growing well and flowering in October 2021, but the others seem to have disappeared.
8 November 2021
Starting from the top left:
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.
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.
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 planed three Isopogon formosus, '‘Cherry’ in September 2016 - these are very similar to the species, and have grown well.
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.
Prostanthera rotundifolia
Prostanthera rotundifolia, or Round-leaf Mintbush, is another very popular mintbush which grows to 2.5m high and 1.5m wide with aromatic foliage and purple flowers. We planted seven of these between 2005 and 2014, but most lasted just a few years then died. This plant is native to NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. We also planted 13 Prostanthera rotundifolia ‘Mini Pink’ between 2015-19, but half of these have also died. This plant forms a small dense shrub 1m x 75cm wide with dark green aromatic leaves and pink flowers.
Verticordia monodelpha – Woolly Feather Flower
We planted three of these shrubs from southwestern WA, 1.5m high and rounded, with pink feathery flowers over a long period, in 2014.
15 November 2021
Starting from the top left:
Acacia falcata
We planted one of these slender trees, 2–5 m high, in September 2017, with grey or black bark, pale green, sickle-shaped phyllodes and small round cream or pale-yellow flowers followed by thin seed pods This plant is native to slopes of eastern NSW and Queensland.
Billardiera cymosa ‘Purple’ – Sweet Apple Berry
We planted one of these twining climbers, to 2m high, with fine green foliage and purple flowers over a long period, in November 2019. This plant flowered for us first in October 2020 and is very popular with bees.
Carpobrotus
We all know the cheerful pigface of the beach dunes, but we have grown several different sorts of Carpobrotus in our garden, glaucescens ‘Aussie Rambler’, modestus or Inland Pigface, rossii ‘Pink Passion’ and ‘White Hot’ or Native Pigface. The winner in our garden is ‘Aussie Rambler’ as it grows vigorously, is amenable to being cut back, has a very large and bright pink flower, and blooms over a long period. The other Carpobrotus are also useful garden plants, but less vigorous. We planted three ‘Aussie Rambler’ in October 2014 and have been happily starting new plants and giving them away ever since.
Epacris longiflora
We planted this shrub, 0.5-1.3m high x 1m wide, with small pointed leaves and long red bell flowers with white tips, in September 2010 and March 2019. The first plant was a fantastic plant from Dawn Barr’s garden, Bairnsdale, Victoria which did not appreciate being repotted, and then died in February 2017. This plant is native to heath and open forests of New South Wales and southern Queensland and blooms every year in spring and lasts until Xmas.
Eremophila ‘Crazy Gal’
We have planted nine of this hybrid between E. glabra x E. 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.
Isopogon formosus ‘Cherry’
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 planed three Isopogon formosus, '‘Cherry’ in September 2016 - these are very similar to the species, and have grown well.
22 November 2021
Starting at the top left:
Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’ or ‘Rowena’
We planted nine Callistemon ‘Demesne Rowena’, now called ‘Rowena’, in 2004-6 to edge the upper pond. These plants have performed extremely well, growing to 2m x 2m even after much trimming. The flowers are a bright lolly pink, aging to a deep pink, and last for a long time.
Callistemon salignus - Willow Bottlebrush
We planted, in 2003 as part of our foundation planting, a hedge of 65 Callistemon salignus, Willow Bottlebrush, or Melaleuca salicina as it is sometimes known now. 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 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.
Jacksonia scoparia
We planted seven of these handsome foliage plants, attractive in flower, to 4m high by 2m across, in 2007-8. These plants feature leafless grey-green branches, often pendulous, and profuse yellow and red pea flowers which occur in spring. Native to coastal NSW and Queensland..
Leptospermum ‘Aphrodite’
We planted 12 Leptospermum ‘Aphrodite’, which is a selection of Leptospermum spectabile developed by Peter Ollerenshaw at Bywong Nursery near Canberra. These plants have been trimmed up from the base to show off their slender, winding stems. This plant forms a dense bushy shrub, 2.5m high x 2m across, and bloom every year with pink and green flowers, large or small, depending on the amount of rain we have received, (virtually microscopic this year, 2019, with only 390mm of rain!).
Myoporum floribundum
One of our favourite shrubs in the garden, a 3m x 3m shrub, with horizontal branches carrying drooping, long, aromatic leaves and white sweetly scented flowers. This shrub is native to southeastern NSW and northeastern Victoria.
Pelargonium australe
We have planted six of these shrubs, 0.5m diameter, with rounded leaves and white to pink-mauve flowers with darker markings, over the years 2011-17. These original six have spread widely, died off and spread again. I notice that they tend to spread into protected areas with some shade. This plant is hardy in most soils in full sun, self seeds, and is native to all states.
29 November 2021
Starting from the top left:
Callistemon ‘Mauve Mist’
One Callistemon ‘Mauve Mist’ was planted in December 2003 and survived the fall of the pine. This plant is expected to form a dense shrub 3m high and wide with mauve pink flower spikes. Ours so far is smaller, 1.5 x 1.5, and only flowers a little. It might be in too much shade.
Callistemon ‘Packer’s Selection’
We planted two Callistemon ‘Packer’s Selection’ at the entrance to our garden in February 2008. This bottlebrush has weeping green foliage and deep red flowers. It grows to 1.5m x 1.5m and blooms several times each year. Birds love the flowers and rip them off the bush.
Eremophila macdonnellii Simpson Desert Form
We planted one of these shrubs, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with silver grey foliage and purple flowers in the ground in December 2017. This plant had its first flowers in January 2018, however the plant died over winter ’18. We planted another in a pot in March 2021 and were able to protect it from both frost and too much rain in 2021. This plant has now flowered in November 2021.
Grevillea longistyla
Grevillea longistyla grows in Queensland in the Blackdown Tableland, Isla Gorge and Gurulmundi areas on sandstone ridges according to Olde and Marriott. ( The Grevillea Book, v. 1-3). We have planted one of these in November 2019 and it is making new growth and blooming in October 2020. This shrub should grow to 3-4m high and has showy orange-red flowers. First blooms 10/20.
Hakea mitchellii
We obtained seeds of Hakea mitchellii from Little Desert in Victoria, germinated them and planted three of them in the garden in December 2015. One was almost immediately uprooted by a raven and another died in a hot spell in January 2017. The remaining plant is thriving and flowered for the first time in December 2018. This plant forms a rounded shrub 1.5m high and wide with bright green foliage, very attractive red stems and white flowers.
Hakea teretifolia - Dagger Hakea
Hakea teretifolia, or Dagger Hakea, grows to 3m high and is another bird refuge with prickly leaves. We planted one in August 2018 and have been rewarded with scented creamy white flowers in November 2019.
