Everyone say g’day to one of our favorite Australians, Frank Greenhalgh, who will teach us that if you are Down Under and someone says, “Nice pigface,” it isn’t necessarily an insult:
“Hello there fellow GPOD’ers. After an unusually dry winter and early spring, native plants have now flowered nicely in Metung in the state of Victoria, Australia. Evergreen plants endemic to either the southwest of the state of Western Australia or the eastern coast of the continent grow well in our environment (Mediterranean climate; acidic sandy loam; few frosts). You may not be familiar with some of these plants, and hence, I have posted some photos of their flowers for your information and, hopefully, enjoyment.”
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Comments
Here are a few more photos which I hope you find of interest. The red flowers are of a weeping bottle brush tree (Callistemon viminalis); the orange flowers are from a small shrub called Eremaea asterocarpa; and the final pic. is of a Cape Leeuwin climber (Kennedia macrophylla).
Thanks, Frank for the bonus photos. The Callistemon knocked my socks off. Lovely.
Kev. - Glad you like the bottle brush flowers. The birds also love the flowers. I think that Callistemons are grown in Florida, but under a different common name - perhaps a GPOD'er from that part of the world can let us know!
G’Day, Frank. So excited to see your post. I am so happy I checked the blog before going to bed. I feel like I have been transported to another planet. The plants are so cool and different. The Mottlecah has to win for the coolest flower I have ever seen. Of the plants you showed us, for which my jaw is still dropped to the floor, I must say I am smitten by the Blueberry ash. I love the large leaves and nodding flowers. You post has convinced me that I have to get to your part of the world. Thanks for brightening up my evening.
I hope all the GPODers have a wonderful weekend. I will be a theatre goer this weekend. My daughter will be performing in the musical “Oliver”. She has the role of Nancy, who has some awesome songs in the show. I will be at all her performances the next 2 weekends.
G'day Kev. - Thank you indeed for your lovely comments. There are reports of Mottlecah growing well near San Diego, CA. Blueberry Ash has ancient tropical origins. Another name for it is Fairy Petticoats (you can see why). The round to oval fruits are bright blue, and our native Bowerbirds take them back to their nests because they simply collect blue coloured objects.
YES you should come down here Kev. - you will have an absolute ball - perhaps after you retire! Just let me know when you and Kathy are coming and we would be delighted to host you guys for the Victorian leg of your trip.
Wow, how exciting to have your daughter performing in 'Oliver'. All the best to her and a proud dad over the next 2 week-ends. Cheers mate
Trust me, Frank. I will take you up on your offer when we get down there. Kathy and I plan to retire in 3 years, so....
Absolutely beautiful! And with winter approaching here it makes me want to immigrate
Thanks Jeff. Come on down for a visit, and apart from the flora you will have heaps of fun interacting with our landscape designers and architects. Cheers from Oz
Beautiful photos Frank. Lovely flowers.
Glad you enjoyed them, Treasuresmom. Cheers, Frank
I just had to pinch myself, Frank, to make sure that I wasn't simply dreaming of mesmerizingly magical flowers in a mystery land as I scrolled through your pictures. Absolutely nothing was familiar and certainly nothing was ho-hum. Not only do I love their looks, I love their names! I think I would be smiling the whole day if I had a reason to casually point to a plant and say "Long-leaved wattle tree " or "Pigface" Oh, the fun you must have! You certainly picked some wonderfully intriguing flowers to share with us...you are a very effective unofficial ambassador of tourism for your beautiful country.
Thanks for your wonderful comments Michaele. Can you imagine what Sir Joseph Banks (botanist) felt like when he saw our unique flora as part of Captain Cook's discovery of Australia in 1770 (European discovery - of course our aborigines were here for 40,000 years)? Our banksias are named after him. Perhaps Tourism Australia should give me a commission (haha)! Cheers from Oz
Gorgeous color...and, oh, so much fascinating texture. Is it soft and silky to the touch?
Oh, a question popped into my mind to ask a born and bred Australian...in conversation or writing, do you refer to Australia as a country or a continent since it is one and the same (gulp, right?) Oh, dear, I don't want you shaking your head in pity at my lack of geographical knowledge.
Michaele - It is both a continent and a country. Country is generally used more often than continent. However, our aboriginal population refers to 'country'. The Banksia ericifolia flower is course - not soft and silky. You cannot have everything!
You took the words right out of my mouth, meander1, and I live and garden in Aloha Land! Wondering if I could grow some of these beauties on Oahu? Down Under land is much larger than Oahu, HI! I especially covet the mint bushes and that darling Pigface, but I'd take/try any or all.
The mint bushes and pig face are very hardy and should grow OK in HI. If local nurseries don't have stock it will take a bit to import them from Oz where they are common. You will need to check out the quarantine/Biosecurity protocols for importing these plants though. Good luck. Cheers from OZ
Mahalo for your reply. I'll let you know how this plays out!
Good morning Frankie!!!!! I was so excited to see your post today! I’m with Kevin on that Mottlecah is amazing. And she has such a cute little hat! I also like that acacia. I also like it when it’s not in bloom. I admire the one inside at Longwood whenever I go... pigface reminds me of our delosperma...so nice to hear from you. PS-can you please send a post every day until spring? We would all love it!
Hi Rhonda - thanks for the compliments my friend. There is a very wide range of Acacia species, flowering through winter and spring. Here are a few species. Cheers, Frankie (love it!).
Your garden and deck look fascinating! Thanks for the bonus photos.
My pleasure, Lilian. Regards
Wow Frank! It’s so lovely to see these amazing flowers from down under. I’ve never heard of some of them and I’ve certainly never seen them. Are any of them fragrant? I know of Teatree but I’m not familiar with the plant itself.
Hi Lily - Glad you liked them. Our gardens are composed of mostly natives, but I do love many exotic plants, and hence, I have a mixture of both. The exotics can be stressed a little in the heat of our summer, but I try to select positions to minimise the impact. Here is another pigface FYI (different genus to the other one). Regards, Frank
So interesting. It reminds me of Delosperma https://www.google.com/search?q=delosperma+cooperi&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgdii=Athgjg6yoVDMtM:&imgrc=xDlr7EE4KOLHDM:
Yep, sure does (Rhonda is on board as well)! Our pigface is as 'tough as nails'
G'day Frank! I don't think that there are any superlatives left to describe these pictures. The Mottlecah is my favorite, with a standing ovation. The drama and elegance of the plant is amazing. Four inch flowers! If they are as abundant on the tree as your photo suggests, it must be drop dead in your tracks stunning. (See, I said there were no more superlatives and I just keep gushing.) So I have to ask, do the koalas eat this one or do they stick to other varieties of the eucalyptus?
My other favorites are the Long Leaved Wattle and the Poorinda Ballerina. Lovely lush flowers on those two. Thank you so much for sharing your native landscapes. You help us expand our world view and allow those of us that can only dream of travel down under to be transported to beautiful Australia.
Hey Chelle - Thanks for the 'standing ovation' - I don't think I've had one before! Mottlecah is endemic to a relative small area in the southwest of Western Australia. It is found naturally in open sandy heath country i.e. pretty tough conditions in summer. Our kolas are found in forested areas of the country in which the climate is far less severe. And you are correct, they only eat certain Eucalyptus species. Why don't you come down and we can show you exactly the environments in which they live (i.e. live the dream)? It's a bit of a flight, but you will survive. Cheers, Frank
Thank you for the gracious invitation, Frank, but my pocketbook won't allow it. (that's a fifties expression for no money, hahaha) Unless, of course, I win the lottery, but then I'd have to play it!
Pity about the 'pocketbook', I'll just have to post some Aussie pics. to give you a flavour for down under etc. Kind regards, Frank
Haha! Love those kookaboros! So cute. Though I think they seem a bit pesky.
Amazing flowering plants Frank, many I have never heard of. Thanks so much for sharing the beauty from Down Under. Vikki in VA
G'day Vikki - My pleasure. Thrilled that you appreciated the flowers etc.
Be still my heart... Frank, you are definitely tempting me to come to Metung for a visit to see some of these beauties in person! You took my breath away with your first photo, the flowers of this Mottlecah are incredible... like your own personal fireworks show with the Callistemon flower as a close second... WOW! WOW! WOW! Truth is, all the blooms are over the top wonderful, and your photography ain't half bad either!
PS Who could resist a plant called 'Pigface'??? Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Hey Sheila - Lovely to hear from you, and thanks for your kind remarks. You are welcome anytime to visit our gardens and stay with us. Let's make it sooner rather than later! Cheers, Frank
PS. Hope life is treating you well in Mexico.
Brilliant, Frank. Thanks for sharing. I've always loved seeing photos of Eucalyptus flowers. Those caps popping off to reveal all of those colorful stamens are amazing!
My pleasure, Tim. The Eucalyptus genus is a very diverse and amazing one as you are aware. Kind regards, Frank
Nice pigface! Love that gum too! Thanks for today's remedy of my winter doldrums Frank. Seriously swooning over all your photos today - wish I could teleport this weekend. Looking forward to your future posts. Thanks a lot.
Hey Cherry - Glad to help you overcome the winter doldrums. Seriously, you need to be here for more than a week-end! Lots of nice nurseries here - image how many pics. you could post on FB. Cheers from Oz
Fascinating and beautiful plants. What zone do you live in?
Thanks Dale - I'm not sure of your USDA climate zones, but we have a Mediterranean climate (it is probably at the higher end of the scale).
Thanks Frank -- We are enjoying our first snow here. I'll just have to settle with your photos.
Hi Dale - I have now done a bit of homework. I looked at an article on plant hardiness zones for Aust. and their relationship with USA zones. It seems that our garden falls within your zones 9-10. Don't know if that helps.
Good morning, Frank. So nice of you to show us the ‘wattle’ tree during our Thanksgiving ( turkey) week:) That Mottlecah Photo is gorgeous and would make a great Christmas card. We purchased one of the round leafed mint bushes ( just called Australian mint Bush here) a few years ago and it’s borderline for our climate but still hanging in. Your photos are terrific and make me want to revisit your magical land again but we’ll wait until you take over your new role as head of tourism. Thanks for starting our weekend off with a bang.
Hey Linda - Unfortunately I did irreparable damage to my reputation with Tourism Australia when I posted this map of Oz on GPOD some time ago - so we need another strategy to get you and Dan back to Oz! The good old 'wattle' neck, 'turkey' neck issue hey. I better not buy into that debate again and introduce 'emu' neck etc. - but did you know that the bark of the blackwood wattle TREE was used for tanning hides for ages here (my father owned a tannery). Good idea about the Xmas cards. Cheers, Francis
Hi Frankie, I second Rhonda, beautiful, you dont sell plants do you, think LV could do with more variety in my yard , LOL.... the Council gave me some pig face, I have the dark like this one and another that starts yellow and as dying off turn pale pink.... it sure grows fast if it likes the spot... Thanks they are beautiful....
G'day, Frank! Glad to see more of your photos. As others have said, it's fun to look at flower photos and not recognize one! Oz is definitely on the bucket list.
Greetings Chris - I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. Having Oz on your bucket list is one thing, but getting it off is another. Come on down - you will have a great time!
Cheers, Frank
So cool, Frank! I just love that Mottlecah; it's like a giant white chocolate Hershey's kiss with a flower filament surprise inside! Fairy's Petticoat -- how sweet is that? The diversity of plants around the world delights me and you've certainly got your fair share in Australia.
Hello Lorraine and thanks for your nice comments. There certainly is no end to the diversity and intrigue of flora on our planet. Cheers from down under
That Eucalyptus is amazing! I've never seen those flowers and you caught several stages of their opening. Great shot. All are great. That Acacia is amazing as well. Very colorful. More Please...
Thanks Lori. One of my favourite native plants is the Flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius). It drops its leaves and bursts into unique red flowers just before Christmas here. Here is a pic. of a mature tree in a public garden near the central business district in Melbourne. Cheers, Frank
Omg that is gorgeous.
Hi Frank, I have been to Australia but it was in your winter so although I did see banksias in bloom, I don't remember seeing any of your post's gorgeous specimens. I will have another chance to visit Oz as my son is marrying an Australian woman from Brisbane. Do any of these show up around there? I would especially enjoy seeing one of those Mottlecahs or blueberry ashes in person!
Hey Jody - Your son obviously has good tastes. The climate in Brisbane is too humid for Mottlecah, but Blueberry Ash grows all the way down the east coast, so you should be able to see it in the 'flesh'. Good luck with everything.
How wonderful to see! These are some beautiful plants! Amazing colors and textures! Totally a whole new world to explore! My favorite is the mottlecah! It is so special how it opens up! Thanks for sharing with us! Your country is on my bucket list!
Hi Jeanne - Thanks for your lovely response. Looks like the Mottlecah is popular with many folks in your part of the world. Its a funny thing how one tends to take a country's native plants for granted. As a consequence, we in Oz have been a bit slow in promoting many of our native plants. Cheers, Frank
My goodness Frank, the flowers are so colorful and dramatic. And I remember from my visit several years ago that your bird population is equally colorful. My zone 5 garden now is shades of brown and tan so I really appreciate the pictures you've posted.
And I appreciate your comments too, Luvfall (sorry I don't know your name). Yes we have some colourful and interesting birds, including rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras - which I'm sure you observed. Hope you had a great time in Oz. Cheers from Oz
How beautiful!
Absolutely over the top amazing and gorgeous, Frank! I can't pick a favorite, but the blueberry ash and the wattle tree are exquisite! You are really making all of us want to visit
Oz. And you are right - sooner would be better than later. Happy Spring.
Great to hear from you Shirley. I appreciate your comments, especially since you are a Master Gardener. Starting to warm up here with summer just around the corner. Let me know if you wish to visit and we will make your trip worthwhile. Cheers my friend
PS. This is the wattle tree I photographed for the pic showing the close up of the flowers you liked.
G'day, Olde Son!
Gonna take a few minutes off from transplanting snapdragon babies and potting up Tradescantia baskets and see if'n you still have yer ears on, as they say on Trucker's CB Radio here.
Very delighted to see your portfolio here and excellent timing as our weather turns from near record highs to seasonal freezes and breezes overnight, literally.
A gallery of Native Plants (and animals) from the land of Auz is almost like visiting another planet. SOooo unique and hauntingly beautiful!! And, to be fortunate enough to reside there....well, I"m sure you know how to count your blessings!!
While I've never wandered as far as Down Under, (closest I've ever got was Hawai'i) I did do some business and pleasure in San Diego County a few years ago. One of the stops I made was to a nursery on the outskirts of that city, which specialized in Australian Natives. The climate and soils there are almost identical to what you have there, so the translation of the plants to those gardens was/is almost effortless. While the nursery wasn't exclusively Aussie materials, they made up 80-90% of the inventory, and the owner was considered the local specialist/authority of your native flora.....at least those considered marketable!! His nursery was part display gardens and mostly production/sales areas. Just like your gallery above, I saw wonders I didn't know existed!!
Another stop was to a small but productive farm a bit farther up the Californian coast and just a bit more inland. Nestled in a small but long valley between coastal ranges and the start of the stunning Sierra Nevadas was a Banksia, Grevillia. and Protea farm. (Proteas being from S. Africa, of course!) They grew many from cuttings and potted them up for the nursery and landscape trade of San Diego, Los Angeles, and smaller but similar areas. They also had about half of their income supplying cut flowers to the florists trade of this nation. Needless to say, they were busy folks! I only had SO little space in the overhead, and altho my eyes (and heart) were bigger than either the space or my wallet, I couldn't leave without a hauntingly beautiful and very dramatic Hakea....one of the few plants they offered in a small 1 gallon size! Proudly kept it going and growing for about 3 years, but they are MUCH more particular about their existence in a pot in the middle of a whole 'nother continent, and I eventually lost it. sigh.....Obviously, I'm still on the learning curve!!
Appreciated the extra pix you replied with!! That PORCH is heavenly! Y'all's place, perhaps?? I first found out about Kennedia when we visited the San Diego Zoo. There they had the Black Kennedia climbing up and over some of their bird enclosures! I LOVE black flowers and that vine stopped me in my tracks, drooling uncontrollably and unashamedly. ("Aisle Clean Up in Birds Dept., STAT!!") I searched for ripe seed for at least 15 minutes and to the point where security was beginning to notice me. But, the vines were just beginning their show and I would be long gone or arrested for in-appropriate botanical lust in a public setting before they were ready to part with viable germplasm.... again: sigh......
Herculean effort, albeit fun, to reply to everyone who joined in! Good Work, Mate, but then you Aussies are known for your hospitality and warmth!! I believe I can attest with a great amount of certainty that this is what puts this web blog/newsletter head and shoulders above the others I frequent. While the eyecandy is delicious and often enviable as well as educatioinal, the conversation and chatter which follows is absolute GOLD!! A True Treasure. As are you, my friend!
I'm fixin' to join you in tomorrow, altho you've been there for many hours already. I think that means either you're a time traveler, and/or I'm always gonna be catchin' up to you!!
Mabey if'n I get to bed earlier??? ;-) Oh well.....entirely tooooo late for mathematics!!
Take care, Mate, and thank you so much for sharing! I learned SO much this weekend!!
jesse
OH, and PS: In answer to your question below: We call them Bottlebrushes in this country, as well. Sold and planted in Southern California, probably So. Arizona, and all along the Gulf of Mexico. In a side note, their flowers are nectar rich and our Western Hemisphere Hummingbirds LOVE them, as do our Butterflies!
This is a Bahamian Woodstar Hummingbird coming in for a high-energy snack!
(Callistemons LOVE the Exumas, too!!)
Greetings you 'olde silver fox' - I'm a hearing you loud and clear, and very pleased indeed that you were diverted from snapdragon babies to making such informed and interesting comments. It has made this Aussie's day (actually midnight here). Crikey - 'True Treasure' is a very long bow/stretch - but I'll take it!
Thanks for the information about Aussie plants in San Diego and elsewhere in CA (can you tell me what zone that represents on the USDA plant Hardiness scale?). I'm sorry about your Hakea carking it (Aussie expression olde son). Nice to know about the bottlebrushes over there - and that your birds are dining out on them. Yes that porch/gazebo is in our garden. Took my son and I a bit to build it - lucky we had a mitre saw otherwise the angles would have done our heads in.
I think it's about time you and your delightful 'boss' headed down here. You would fit in like a 'house on fire' with the locals because of your fantastic sense of humour. I'll dig up your email address which you provided in one of your linked GPOD posts, and communicate directly with you to provide relevant tourist/garden/cultural advice and encouragement etc. Trust me, you will have a wonderful trip - I'll make sure of it!
Bed time now or this 'olde codger'. Cheers my great friend
Frank, I'm a-scarred that if'n I ever got down that-a-way, I might not ever leave!!! Ah, but it would be heavenly, I believe!!! Between the flora and fauna, the knock-down gorgeous scenery, and expecially the people.... well, might just have to change my accent so I could blend in and stay a while!!!
We will adopt the 'Okie lad' as a de facto Aussie, but it is important that you retain your accent and turn of phrase because it will keep the conversations a flowing. Trust me, Jesse, you will pass the Aussie pub test with flying colours by being yourself. Cheers olde son
And we will stay in the pub (see note below) if confronted with this scene, olde son.
Love your commentary Jesse and you are so funny. Thanks for taking the time to write it. I love this post!
Hey Lilian - I think Jesse is the 'True Treasure'! FG
Ah, and garsh...... there's some of that Aussie Warmth and sunshine I was talkin' 'bout comin' thru, and it must be strong magic as I'm turnin' red!!
Ah, then Lilian, you should see me live!! But, first I must prepare:
"Make Up, make up over here, please! Lots and LOTS of Make Up!!!"
I take a few days off the computer and when I return, I am transported to a Garden of Eden in the Land of Oz. What beautiful flowers you grow down under. They are all beautiful, and me being me, I had to research everyone of them. But none of the pictures I found match the beauty of the ones you supplied. Are they all in bloom in your garden now? And oh my, the Mottlecah is amazingly unique and blew my mind with the way it appears to break out of a shell, just like a baby chick.
I loved the 'Poorinda ballerina'. So full of soft pink blossoms and such a perfect name. Wonderful flowers from a very interesting country/continent. Frank, thanks for sharing a new world of flora with us.
Hi Sonya - Glad you are back on line and thanks for the compliments. Good on you for doing your homework. The plants were flowering over the last couple of months. Poorindi ballerina has nearly finished flowering now. Cheers my friend
Hey Sonya - just checked and the pigface is still in full bloom. The flowers shut up at night. Regards
They are pretty!
Wow! These are gorgeous. Nice to see summer when we are sliding into winter here.
Thanks Nancy. Appreciate your response. Cheers from a warming Oz
So Strangely beautiful. Thanks for sharing Frank! I did not know why I missed your post.
Hi Lilian - Glad you found and liked it. I don't think the email notifications are going out - so you have to check the website. Looks like Kim has left FG - but there has been no direct communication from FG on this issue. Cheers from a warming Oz
Sorry Frank that this message is so late, but 'better late then never' seems to be how I roll !! Just wanted to say how beautiful all of your photos are. After a week of torrential rains and very damaging winds accompanied by power outages, your photos were a breath of warm fresh air and I so enjoyed them. Are all of those fantastic flowering plants growing on your property? How fortunate you are and thanks for sharing your labors of love.
Hey Linda - Better 'rolling' than not I say! Very grateful for your lovely comments. Sounds like you have experienced a bit of bad weather recently. Yes the plants are in our garden with the exception of the Banksia ericifolia (next door neighbour's plant on the boundary with our property). Kind regards, Frank
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