PLANTS IN THE GARDENS

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

Pineapple Cycad

Lepidozamia peroffskyana

Family Zamiaceae

Many people identify cycads as relatives of palms or ferns. However, they are not related to either plant group, but form a unique place in plant evolution, being at their peak in the Mesozoic era, about 150 million years ago.

There are only two living species in the genus Lepidozamia, which was first described by Russian botanist Edmund von Regel in around 1857. It is said that this was described from a specimen in the St Petersburg Botanic Garden.

Of the two known species alive today, Lepidozamia hopei is native to north-east Queensland in the area from Cooktown south to Ingham. This species is suited to warmer regions, preferably the tropics.

Lepidozamia peroffskyana, native to south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, occurs naturally on sheltered slopes of wet sclerophyll forests and rainforest margins as an understorey plant. Male and female cones are produced on separate plants. Curved male cones have wedge-shaped scales that open spirally to release pollen. Female cones are broad, forming a rounded mound in the crown of the plant. Scales on female cones are broad and wedge-shaped with pointed tips. Mature fertilised cones open to reveal large bright-red seeds which are toxic. Plants can only be propagated from seed that take many months to germinate.

Lepidozamia is a very desirable plant, which can be enjoyed as a potted plant or a garden specimen. It is best grown in partial shade with shelter from strong winds, although plants can also tolerate quite heavy shade. It may be grown in sunnier situations, but foliage colour may not be such a deep lustrous green. All cycads do much better in a very low organic matter growing medium and kept in a warm sheltered location. These plants do not like being mulched as it kills off any coralloid (specialised roots) and changes the soil pH unfavourably. Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. A regular occasional application of liquid fertiliser is beneficial during the growing season. These plants are thriving in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in the Palm Grove with an excellent specimen in bed 25 near the path leading to the Main Depot. Growing Friends Plant Sales frequently has specimens for sale. Margaret Hanks, Growing Friends, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

While we may not boast the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden’s amazing display, we still have plenty of autumn colour on show.

There are, for instance, the beautiful golden leaves of Ginkgo biloba, good examples of which can be found in the Middle Garden, near the Spring Walk and Visitor Centre.

There are also many interesting flowering trees at their best in autumn. Bauhinia x blakeana, commonly known as the Hong Kong Orchid Tree, starts flowering in March with its spectacular orchid-like pink blooms. A lovely example can be found in the Tropical Garden beside the Band Lawn.

Along a similar theme is Ceiba speciosa, the Silk Floss Tree, which is a member of the Malvaceae family. Two of these spectacular trees can be found in bed 60 and the adjacent native rainforest (near the large topiary echidna).

One of the most spectacular autumn flowering plants is the Brazilian Red Cloak Megaskepasma erythrochlamys * These easy-to-grow shrubs can be found brightening up the entrance to the Palace Garden beside the Conservatorium of Music.

While in the area its always worth checking the last flush of flowers in the Rose Garden. The team has worked incredibly hard over the last number of years trailing rose varieties to find the perfect roses for Sydney’s climate.

The Wildflower Meadow is finishing its flowering, but we retain the plants to encourage seed to form and naturally regenerate for the following spring and summer display.

This is a lovely time of year when the horticulturists can catch up after a busy summer of chasing weeds and managing the explosion in plant growth.

David Laughlin, Curator Manager

Australian Botanic Garden

Autumn is one of my favourites times of the year, with the summer heat beginning to fade and plants getting some welcome relief. At the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, autumn is a time to refresh and revitalise as we remove the summer annual display and begin preparing for spring.

The cooler weather provides the perfect opportunity to plant as we continue to boost and renew our displays.

If you are wondering what to keep an eye out for, autumn is a great time for Brachychiton, Brachyscome, Grevillea, palms and banksias. Banksia aemula (Wallum Banksia) is a beautiful species to investigate further as you navigate the Garden. This species is very similar to Banksia serrata, the Saw Banksia, but can be easily differentiated because of the Wallum Banksia's enormous woody follicles.

Jarryd Kelly, Supervisor Horticulture

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Typically smelt before they’re seen, Luculias (Luculia gratissima) are one of the highlights of the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in autumn, drawing visitors around to the barbecue lawn and through the Brunet Garden.

The species epithet ‘gratissima’ means ‘most pleasing’ and it’s no wonder, as the soft pink clusters of flowers brighten up the late autumn months as the trees lose their leaves and the Garden prepares to hibernate. Native to the Himalayas, where in its natural habitat it can grow to six metres, Luculia is the most enquired after plant in the Garden every autumn.

Marion Whitehead, Supervisor Ornamental Gardens and Nursery

Growing Friends Plant Sales

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney* Mon–Fri 11am–2pm, Sat 10am–2pm

Australian Botanic Garden

Mount Annan

Mon–Sun 9am–4pm

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah Mon–Sun 9.30am–4.30pm

*Open Sun 10am-2pm from 30 April