Plants Some tips on what to look out for this winter

PLANTS IN THE GARDENS

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL PLANTS TO LOOK OUT FOR NEXT TIME YOU VISIT THE GARDENS.

planted because, being wide and spreading, it is better suited to parklands and larger gardens where its spreading form can be seen to full advantage.

While the height of the foliage cluster may be less than two metres, a mature plant of this species may have a spread of 2–3 metres in width in ideal conditions. The brilliant flower spike appears from the centre of the foliage, arching laterally to two metres or more in length. The two species are indeed “show-stoppers” when in bloom.

‘When these are in flower, it is impossible to miss them’

SPEAR LILY, FLAME LILY Doryanthes species Family Agavaceae/Doryanthaceae There are only two species in the genus, Doryanthes excelsa and Doryanthes palmeri.

Doryanthes excelsa is by far the better known and the most widely planted. Formerly known as the Gymea Lily, it occurs mainly on the sandstone regions of New South Wales, from the Central Coast to the Illawarra. It has been used to great effect in public plantings, including as a highway divider on the Southern Cross Drive leading to Sydney Airport.

Doryanthes excelsa forms a tall, wide

Doryanthes palmeri

rosette of glossy green leaves, which can be 15–20 centimetres wide and up to two metres long. From the centre of this foliage, a tall flowering spike develops. The flower spike is generally four metres or more high. Initially the large flower bud resembles a classical torch, opening to reveal a cluster of rich red flowers.

Flowers, which are quite long-lasting, appear mainly in spring through summer. These spectacular flower spikes are very attractive to nectar-feeding birds. This species was introduced to the Gardens by Charles Fraser as early as 1819.

Doryanthes palmeri is also a spectacular plant but is less frequently

Both species require similar conditions to thrive. They are not fussy about soil type and will grow in any variety of fairly well-drained soil. A temperate to semi-tropical climate should suit both. Fertiliser is not generally needed but if so, a slow-release, organic variety would be best.

After planting, a mulch of welldecayed organic matter would be beneficial. Little or no maintenance is required beyond removing the spent flowering spikes once they have completely dried off.

Both species are planted in several areas of the Royal Botanic Garden, including the long border to the right of the Henry Lawson Gate on Mrs Macquaries Road (bed 103), and in the Australian Border and Rockery which leads to the Opera House entrance gate (bed 130). If wandering in the Garden when these are in flower, it is impossible to miss them! Margaret Hanks, Growing Friends, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Camellia japonica speciosissima

‘The first camellias in Australia were planted at the Royal Botanic Garden’ in 1823’

Winter annual Antirrhinum ‘Snapshot Sunset’

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY

Winter is the best time to enjoy the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s extensive camellia collection. If entering the Garden from the Woolloomooloo Gate you can enjoy a magnificent assortment of camellia cultivars. Further into the Garden near Rathborne Lodge is our magnificent species collection. These wonderful plants have been grown in the Royal Botanic Garden for almost 200 years – in fact the first recorded plantings of camellia in Australia were at the Royal Botanic Garden by Charles Frazer in 1823.

The southern African display near the Henry Lawson Gate is worth a visit in winter, if only to see the protea at their stunning best. If in the Blue Mountains, the protea display at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is even more spectacular in mid-winter. Other southern African plants at their best are the aloes mass-planted at the front of the Conservatorium of Music and on the Greenway. These hardy plants flower prolifically throughout winter.

The winter annual display at the Garden always brightens things up. This year there will be a mix of snapdragons, calendula, dahlia, dianthus and foxgloves, to name a few. The Flower Bed Lawn with its stunning harbour views will have a mix of dianthus and viola in shades of red, white and purple. Another great place to enjoy the winter annuals is the Palace Garden where the Pioneer Memorial Garden will showcase a vibrant mix of polyanthus, snapdragons, dianthus and poppies, with perhaps a few early daffodils popping up.

If you are visiting the Garden before July, make sure you see the Inside the Tide exhibition at The Calyx. Enjoy the stunning recreation of kelp forests, coral reefs and seagrass meadows, created using more than 20,000 plants, complemented by the puppetry of Erth Visual & Physical. As you approach The Calyx, a life size topiary female humpback whale accompanied by her baby calf can be seen breaching through the lawn.

In the cool of winter many of our native plants are flowering. A visit to the native rockery next to the Queen Elizabeth II Gate will not disappoint. The Succulent Garden is a joy in winter where you can view an extensive range of plants from some of the driest places on earth. Sydney’s mild winter is a great time to enjoy the Garden and marvel at some of the amazing trees or read a book in the tranquil surrounds in the heart of the city. David Laughlin, Curator Manager

Callerya megasperma

AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN

Do you love wisteria but hate the fact it loses leaves in winter? If so, come for a visit to the Australian Botanic Garden from July to October and have a look at Callerya megasperma, wisteria’s native counterpart. This evergreen climber in the Fabaceae family, which comes from south-eastern Queensland and the north-eastern corner of New South Wales, makes a perfect substitute for the exotic wisteria. From July to October, delicate purple pea-shaped flowers hang en-masse in large trusses followed by large velvety seed pods, which are attractive in their own right. You could be forgiven for thinking it is wisteria but for the fact it has wonderfully glossy leaves year-round, so it has a ‘wow’ factor, even when not in flower. The new growth is something to behold, covering the plant in a sea of inky black. Attention must be paid when selecting a site to plant Callerya as they are known to be vigorous growers, scrambling up the tallest trees in the wild. They can, however, be controlled with a good cut back after flowering. For best results use Callerya as a screen. Choose a site where the soil is free draining and sandy, and ensure the roots are kept cool and moist by adding a layer of organic mulch. It is a good butterfly-attracting plant. Simon Reid, Horticulturist

Stachyurus praecox

BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN

While the world around it appears deeply asleep, the Stachyurus praecox (commonly known as Spiketail or Kibusi) is alive with chandeliers of pendant racemes in a vibrant yellow. Set on the gentle slopes of the Residence Lawn (near the Camellia Cottage), Stachyurus’ blooms cascade along its bare branches, looking from a distance like clouds of bright yellow smoke, bringing some levity to the winter gloom. The species epithet ‘praecox’ is derived from Latin and refers to its very early flowering time. A native of Japan, where its seed is used to make a black dye, Stachyurus is a beautiful, spreading shrub with reddish-gold autumn colour and such notable winter displays. It is no wonder that the Royal Horticultural Society gave Stachyurus praecox its prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Marion Whitehead, Senior Horticulturist, Nursery

GROWING FRIENDS PLANT SALES

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Mon–Fri 11am–2pm, Sat 10am–2pm The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Mon–Sun 9am–4pm The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah Mon–Sun 9.30am–4.30pm

Rhizomatous begonias

GROWING FRIENDS

Rain, rain and more rain over the last few months has made work in the Growing Friends Plant Sales somewhat easier because we haven't needed to spend so much time on daily watering. Our plants are showing the benefit, but continuing disruption from wild weather and COVID restrictions have made our new propagation task more difficult. Nevertheless, we are delighted with the quality and variety of plants in stock, with new varieties on sale and regular lines returning to the nursery benches.

We recently introduced a new range of unusual rhizomatous begonias, with many varied and colourful leaf forms, and we expect to have Alloxylon flammeum – the spectacular Tree Waratah – back on sale at Growing Friends Plant Sales at both the Royal Botanic Garden and the Australian Botanic Garden.

While we continue to welcome new volunteers, we are also sadly saying farewell to some long-serving members. Among them is Robin McIntyre, who in 1998 became one of the first Growing Friends and our first General Coordinator. Robin also helped set up Growing Friends at the Australian Botanic Garden in 1999 and was the first leader of Growing Friends at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in 2004 – making her the only member to have worked at all three of our sites. We will miss her experience, knowledge and organisational abilities. Raoul de Ferranti, General Coordinator Growing Friends