With spring just around the corner August is Magnolia month! With the stunning white, pink, and mauve blossoms on bare branches, these gorgeous trees are getting ready to put on a show…
We’ve had a beautiful July with plenty of varieties of Camellia and Azalea sp. greeting us with their spectacular colours and forms. Now in August we’ll see a continued opening up of these varieties together with company from the flowering cherries, peaches, and plums (Prunus campanulata, P. cerasifera, P. persica, P. blireana). Diosma’s (Coleonema pulcherrum), Port Wine Magnolia’s (Michelia sp.), Polygala, Psoralea, and Virgilia will also be making an appearance now.
With the continued flowering from annuals and perennials, such as Hellebore (Helebore spp.), Iceland poppies (Papaver nudicaule), Polyanthus (Primula spp.), Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), and Viola sp., we now welcome other varieties such as Ruella sp. and the Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens).
Look out for Clivea sp., Daffodil’s (Narcissus Hybrids), Hyacinth’s (Hyacinthus orientalis) and other bulbs such as Lachenalia and Leucojum spp. as they won’t be able to keep their heads in the ground for too much longer!
The dazzling displays of orange from the Orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia venusta) will soon be upon us with masses of bursting blossoms. Several jasmines including the Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) are budding up nicely and together with the fresh colours of Clerodendrum splendens (Bleeding heart), Lapageria rosea, and the Skyflower (Thunbergia grandiflora) they will be a welcome addition.
On a Native Front…
Just like our exotic Magnolia counterpart, August is also Acacia month! Well what can one say… our amazing green and gold. Maybe hated by those of us who are hay fever stricken at this time each year, nothing says Australia more than the humble wattle! September 1st is National Wattle Day so pin on a sprig and celebrate this truly wonderful Australian.
With all this excitement going on, don’t forget to keep one eye on the emerging Boronia’s, Clematis sp., Correa and Epacris who will also be making their entrance with Crotalaria, Eriostemon, and the Geralton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum). Similarly, the Happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea), the hardy Mint bush (Prostanthera spp.), and the Rock myrtles (Thryptomene) will also be out in force, and with a delicious smorgasbord of unique Grevillea and Waratah blooms on offer the honeyeaters are sure to be happy.
Written by: Jonathan Barraket