More Banksias
There were a number of Banksias in flower at the arboretum including Banksia ashbyi mentioned the other day. This photo is much better.
All the plantings are on deep sand. The soil seems to hold moisture quite well despite being in a low rainfall area.
Banksia ashbyi
Banksia hookerana (Acorn Banksia)
We took a day off today to check out the birds and plants at the Arboretum. We took a picnic lunch and thermos and found a spot near the Banksias which were in flower, to have lunch. Actually there were a lot of plants in flower so hopefully I have some good photos to down load.
Banksia hookerana was one that was covered in flowers, some still to open fully. It is a medium shrub 2-3m high. It is frost and drought tolerant and would make a good low windbreak plant. I think it would be a good cut flower also.
Banksia hookerana
Banksia ashbyi (Ashby’s Banksia)
I walked around the grounds of the campsite mentioned in the previous post, taking photos of plants in flower. A few years ago a small sheltered horseshoe shaped area of retreat was created with a large rockery forming the boundary. I found Banksia ashbyi flowering and looking surprisingly good, although I know this as one of the hardier Banksias.
Banksia ashbyi (Ashby's Banksia)
This is a medium to tall shrub, 2-6m high and 2-4m wide. Leaves are 15-50cm long, with a deep saw toothed edge. The flower heads are bright orange. It needs very well drained soil in a warm climate. It is drought tolerant and frost hardy once established. This Banksia is one of those grown for the cut flower trade.
Banksias In A Stump
Flower Arrangement with Banksias
Banksias are such dramatic flowers. There are two different species in this arrangement, plus the seed cone of another species. A typical piece of Australiana is the old gnarled piece of mallee stump.
When we used to get to the city for shopping, when living in the north of the state it was always a treat to see the flower stalls in Rundle mall, the main shopping precinct in the CBD. There were always buckets of Banksia flowers. I would buy a few of each to take home and place in water to enjoy the real colours. When the water evaporated the flowers would dry and keep for months. I often used the leaves with their different serrations as shapes for stencilling.
I enjoy the skill and creativity of the people who did these floral arrangements in Sogersu School of Ikebana.
Flower Arranging With Banksias
Banksias and Woolly Bush
This is another of the flower arrangements in a form of Ikebana. The featured flowers are Banksia spinulosa and Woolly Bush (Adenanthos sericeus). Also featured are gnarled pieces of one of the She-Oak family (Allocasuarina). The old seed cones have been retained and some yellow lichen has been left on the stems, also.
Woolly Bush is a wonderful plant. It has a green and grey appearance as the camera flash has picked up in the photo. It is one of those plants that one has to touch because of the soft woolly feel of the foliage. This plant grows well here with good drainage and in the alkaline soil, too. It has small, red jug-shaped flowers that are also attractive but the foliage is the feature.
I really like the way these flower arrangements show off Australian native Plants.