Simpson Shadehouse - Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Simpson Shadehouse - Adelaide Botanic Gardens

26 October 2014

Cymbidium

Donated by a neighbour a couple of years ago so I'm not sure what variety it is.


25 October 2014

Irises

Most of the Irises that flower in the garden are a bluey-purple colour but these provide a pleasant change - a more reddish purple and an apricot.






15 October 2014

Melaleuca elliptica (Granite Honey Myrtle)

Melaleuca elliptica, from West Australia, grows up to 4 metres but can be pruned to smaller dimensions as it can get straggly otherwise.  Pruning also helps the flower display as flowers often grow on old wood so they can be partly hidden by new growth.  The flowers start off a deep red/scarlet colour but tend to end up a pale pink colour.  The bark is quite flaky which gives the plant an interesting, gnarled look.  It grows best in full sun and, apparently, is tolerant of sea spray.


06 October 2014

Lomandra hystrix in flower

The Lomandra genus is classified in (of all things) the Asparagaceae family and there are 51 species, all of them native to Australia (two also extend to New Guinea and New Caledonia).  Lomandra hystrix originates from the east coast of Australia (from Northern Queensland to Taree in NSW).  It grows along creeks and is tolerant of shade.  Many Lomandras have fragrant flowers although I didn't notice much scent from this one.

There are some other delightful small Lomandras, native to South Australia (Lomandra nana and Lomandra fibrata or Mt Lofty Matrush), which are rare but which ought to be in cultivation as they are small tufted plants with soft foliage (unlike their larger siblings) which would suit small gardens as well as bush gardens.  They also provide an important habitat to some native butterflies.