Weeks 3 & 4 March 2001: Slightly different format this time as our activities have spanned two weeks. Had a call from the Tamworth group of the Australian Plant Society. They will visit Yallaroo next month. There are an increasing number of individuals and groups visiting our garden.
We intended to visit our three children this fortnight. One daughter and family live on the North Coast and flooding prevented our visiting this time. Drove down to the Central Coast to visit our other daughter and her family. Whilst there we did some walking in Brisbane Waters National Park. This beautiful area is a native plant enthusiast’s delight. Saw three species of grevilleas, the same number of hakeas, banksias, baeckeas, leptospermums etc etc.
Also, as in the case whenever we travel, spent some time visiting nurseries. Bought some grevilleas (new species and hybrids to add to our collection) also a large Banksia media for only $3 (a bargain at twice the price). When we purchase plants we select those specimens with plenty of material for cuttings.
We visited a Japanese style garden. We were pleasantly surprised to native plants used in this landscaping context. Banksia spinulosa, Baeckea virgata and Westringias were prominent.
Next stop the Southern Highlands where we visited our son. Lots of formal gardens in this area and it would seem to be the Cypress capital of Australia. They are used as hedges in many gardens. They provide privacy but the landscape becomes a trifle boring when they are planted en masse. On a more positive note the Southern Highland towns are surrounded by National Parks and other Reserves bulging at the seams with a huge range of native plants. There is plenty of scope for botanical exploration in this part of the world.
We went for a walk in one National Park in a fruitless search for the rare Banksia paludosa subspecies astrolux (sounds more like a vacuum cleaner than a Banksia). This species has very limited distribution. Our search was unsuccessful but later on received more specific information on its location. Another search will be undertaken next time we visit. The walk was not wasted as we saw some majestically gnarled Banksia serrata and smaller Banksia spinulosa. Grevillea sphacelata was a worthwhile sighting. This medium shrub has unusual pinkish-grey terminal flower heads. A very attractive shrub with heaps of horticultural potential.
As per usual we bought more plants. A Grevillea Ned Kelly was good value at $4. Also purchased another Grevillea and a Tetratheca commonly known as Black-eyed Susan. These small shrubs usually have pink or purple flowers. This specimen was an unusual white flowering form. There was plenty of cutting material on these plants.
We also visited the local Historical Society. We both have strong family links with this part of the country. Managed to obtain a photograph of my Grandfather’s bakers shop. He used wood from Allocasuarina littoralis, the Black She Oak, to fuel his ovens. In those days the species was known as Baker’s Oak.
That was enough excitement for this fortnight. We travelled home through Wollomi National Park and found the gardens flourishing at Yallaroo.