Could this Autumn be the most colourful we have ever had in Central Queensland. No matter where you travel there are trees, shrubs and groundcovers in full bloom.
As well as the mass blooming Allamandas, Bougainvilleas, Crape Myrtles, Frangipanis and Ixoras there are so many plant species providing a fantastic floral display. The following are a small sample of what is flowering around the region.
Carphalea kirondron Flaming Beauty is a very showy medium sized ornamental shrub with large flame-red bracts and small white flowers. It will flower from November to almost July. With an average height of 1.5m high but in some positions it can grow up to 3m. The Flaming Beauty prefers a full sun position but these showy plants can also grow well in semi-shade. To get the best flowering display a well-drained soil mixture that is compost enriched is needed.
Dianthea Pretty in Pink is a compact tropical shrub with dark green foliage that is perfect for cottage gardens and containers. It has clusters of dark pink fan shaped pink flowers that will appear along the topside of its branches throughout the year. Growing up to 1m in most free draining soils and is tolerate of shade but needs protection from frost. This native of eastern Brazil will attract Butterflies to the garden.
Gaura Siskiyou Pink is a hardy hybrid of the Butterfly Bush that produces hot pink flowers. With a long flowering period ranging from late spring to early winter. It is a low clumping perennial with loosely branched stems that are covered in tiny hairs. Gaura Siskiyou Pink should grow up to .75m high and 1m wide and will tolerate a variety of soils from sandy to clay-based but grows best in well-drained, moist soils. It can grow in hot dry conditions if well mulch and occasional deep-water during extended dry periods
Holmskioldia Mandarin Rouge is a rambling shrub growing up to 3m high. It is commonly known as the Chinese Hat Plant due to the unusual hat or saucer shaped flowers. These scarlet red flowers are bird attractive and will appear in mass from early Autumn to the end of Winter. It will grow in full sun or part shade positions and is tolerate of poor or sandy soils. Holmskioldia Mandarin Rouge responds well to pruning in late Winter to early Spring.
Pachystachys lutea or Golden Candles is an evergreen understory shrub growing up 1m tall. It has showy bright yellow bracts with white flowers that will cover the shrub in blooms. The foliage is a tropical dark green, lance-shaped and measuring up to 15cm long. Pachystachys lutea grows best in part shade humus rich well-drained soil. Prune back fairly hard just as spring growing season begins to maintain a bushy habit.
Tibouchina lepidota Alstonville is a large shrub with dark green velvet-like, lance-shaped leaves that is paler underneath. Mass blooms of buttercup-shaped dark purple flowers from autumn to early winter and it some even a spring flowering. The floral display can be so stunning that foliage can almost be completely hidden. It will grow to 3m high and can be pruned to shape. Tibouchina Alstonville will grow best in a part shade position that is protected from the western sun.
Turnera ulmifolia Morning Star is a small, dense, compact small shrub with dark green leaves that will grow to 80cm in height. Cream buttercup-like flowers with brown centres appear in mass during the warmer months of the year. These flowers are the size of a fifty cent piece but last only one day. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other nectar-loving insects. It grows best in full sun in well-drained soil and will tolerate dry conditions.
Whitfielda longifolia is an attractive plant that is suitable for a sunny or partly shaded area. It has glossy, green veined leaves and flowers that are a clear white, with a distinctive, arching tubular shape that blossom throughout the year. It grows approximately 1.5m x 1m high. Pruning, when required will help maintain a compact shape and encourage repeat flowering.
While many of these plants may not be available all year round in most local nurseries, they should be able to be ordered from specialist nurseries.
