IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 11

IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Winter Flowering Shrubs Among the most outstanding shrubs in flower in the gardens at present is Hamamelis mollis, the Chinese Witch Hazel. A fine specimen may be seen at the western end of the rock garden. Although it does not have a strong perfume like the Winter Sweet, it is much prized because it never fails to produce a profusion of rich yellow feathery flowers, even during the coldest weather. Other shrubs in flower now include Erica, Chimonanthus praecox, and Camellia. Visitors to the Gardens at this season are usually surprised at what appears at first glance to be a weeping willow in full leaf. Actually the tree is the evergreen Maytenus boaria. A large specimen of this tree is situated on the northern side of the Archery Lawn and a smaller specimen near the Museum. Maytenus boaria is a native of Chile and it somewhat resembles a weeping willow in form, having the same graceful habit. Being evergreen and on account of its weeping form, this tree is especially valuable during the winter months as it gives an effect which would be difficult to provide with any other tree.

The Glasshouses Ornamental foliage and flowering plants from the tropical zones of the world are on display in the Cuningham glasshouse. Along the eastern side of the gallery and at the northern end are the brilliantly coloured Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also the pink and white varieties are on display. Also on the eastern side are varieties of Cordyline terminalis with various coloured foliage, Aphelandra aurantiaca var. roezlii, and Strobilanthes anisophyllus. At the northern end Chirita lavendulacea has attractive flowers of mauve. Along the western side are the brilliantly coloured crotons with leaves in a wide variety of shapes and colours, and Euphorbia fulgens with sprays of bright orange-scarlet flowers. At the southern end Begonia "Glore de Lorraine” is in flower and a specimen of Pineapple in fruit Downstairs an epiphytic cactus (schlumbergera bridgesii) is in flower. Town e n d Glasshouse.—The main displays at present are Cyclamen, Primula malacoides, P. sinensis. P. obconica and Cinerarias. Other plants of interest are Pycnostachys dawei with heads of bright blue flowers, Coleus thyrsoideus which has spires of blue flowers and Moschosma riparia coming into flower.

* Garrick Cactus And Succulent House.—Amohg the plants which are of interest at the moment are Aloe spp. Kalanchoe spp. Echeveria spp. and Clianthus formosus, the Desert Pea from Australia.