Spring delights at the Arboretum

Your garden, the local park, roadsides, the bush generally and, in particular, the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum are truly sights for rejoicing.

There are some very special plants flowering at the moment at the arboretum, the deep, heavenly blue Lechenaultia from WA (pictured), the almost purple blue of the dampiera, the silky reds of the isopogons and the crisp gold of the verticordias. All in the information centre garden.

And as you wander round Harris Lookout and down to the Western Beds notice the stunning flowers of eucalyptus macrocarpa, the varnished, sculptured woody fruit of the pear-fruited mallee and the ooldea mallee and the arching boughs and crimson flowers of Kunzea pulchella (which is also flowering in the beds near the Information Centre).

Don't forget to visit the mintbush area. It will be shady and cool on this coming warm weekend and the mintbushes are in full flower. 

Swathes of soft lilac and mauve and purple misting across the paths with the fresh, pungent scent of mint encompassing you. No wonder they were George and Peter Althofer's favourites.

On Sunday entry is free and there is a major plant sale so it's a great time and place to see what appeals to you and, hopefully, have the chance to purchase it.

Marion Jarratt