‘Burke’s Backyard’ recently visited Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth which is full of Australian native plants including a large collection of Banksias. The park also has some interesting monuments including a double spiral staircase which celebrates Watson and Crick’s discovery in the early 1950s of the double helix structure of our chromosomes of DNA. The staircase also gives a fabulous panorama of the city of Perth. Another feature of Kings Park are the Honour Avenues and special Memorials throughout the park which are dedicated to those who died in the service of their country. The State War memorial was erected in 1929 and the whispering wall is part of this memorial.
Plants featured:
These plants will grow best in Victoria, South Australia and the Perth area in a well-drained sandy soil.
Banksia baueri (Woolly Banksia) – Named after Ferdinand Bauer, it has the largest flowerhead on any Banksia species. The bush grows to about 2-3m (6′-10′) and the flowerhead is yellow with a woolly texture.
Banksia menziesii (Firewood Banksia) – Named after Archibald Menzies, British physician and botanical explorer with Vancouver’s voyage to Australia in 1791. The wood of the bush burns easily and was once used as firewood, hence the common name Firewood Banksia. The small tree grows to 6-7m (20′-24′) and flowers pink to red and silver. Yellow forms are also known.
Eucalyptus rhodantha (Rose Mallee) – Silver grey foliage with large red flowers (10cm (4″) in diameter ) for most of the year. Shrub grows to 3m (10′) tall.
Availability
These plants are available from nurseries in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria. Prices range from $6-$8 for 140mm (6″) pot. Look for them at your local nursery or try one of the following native plant specialist nurseries:
Kuranga Native Nursery, Ringwood, VIC. Phone: (03) 9879 4076
Zanthorrea Nursery, Maida Vale, WA. Phone: (08) 9454 4540
Nellie Nursery, Mannum, SA. Phone: (08) 8569 1762
Further information
Kings Park Botanic Garden is at Fraser Avenue, West Perth, WA, 6005.
Phone: (08) 9480 3600
Fax: (08) 9322 5064
Email: [email protected]
The music used during the segments on Kings Park was from a Kings Park CD, Images and Reflections, which was produced by Robert Boyd and is a collection of eight musical impressions depicting the various characteristics of the park and its wildlife. The CD is available from the Kings Park souvenir shop and other Perth retail outlets for $29.95 and the cassette tape is $19.95. For a listing of Perth retail outlets contact Robert Boyd, phone: (08) 9245 1446. It is also available by mail order from Robert Boyd, Self Expression Recordings, PO Box 399, Scarborough, WA, 6019. Fax: (08) 9245 1784 for $29.95 plus $4 for postage and handling anywhere in Australia. Cheques and money orders should be made out to Self Expression Recordings.