Summer 2010
Hotel Native Gardens
The Royal Mail's extensive native gardens are, as is usual at this time of year, full of bright flowering gums, Grevillea and other drought tolerant native species. Although there have been relatively few days of extreme heat this year, gardeners are still avoiding preparing any new beds and are keeping a careful eye on the water needs of the established plantings, making sure that the summer heat doesn't destroy even the most drought tolerant natives.
The deep red flowers of the Corymbia (Eucaluptus) ficifolia, or Red-flowering gum, are a prominent part of the Dunkeld summer landscape. The elegant foliage and showy summer flowering have brought brightness and life to the main street where the gums line the footpath attracting bands of lorikeets to feast on their opening nuts.
The main entrance to the hotel has been brightened by the heavily flowering Angophora hispida, or Dwarf Apple. The tree produces clusters of creamy white flowers through January which are continuing to provide a striking contrast against their background of dense, olive green foliage. Although the tree appears to be a gum, the botanical characteristics of this species differ in the formation of its foliage and in that it doesn't produce the typical gumnuts of a Eucalyptus or Corymbia, instead producing capsule-like fruit each baring three flat seeds. The gnarled branches and rough loose bark are also a defining characteristic of this Sydney sandstone area native.
Ptilotus nobilis, Outback Princess is a grassland species often found amongst inland Australia's native grasses. This greyish-pink variety, which is thriving in the garden bed beside the pool area due to its ability to withstand high temperatures with very little water, is similar to a naturally occurring variety found locally in undisturbed grasslands.
The delicate, hibiscus-like flowers of the Gossypium sturtianum or Sturts Dessert Rose, are providing a splash of colour viewed from Mountain View decks. The flowers have soft mauve petals with red bases, forming an attractive contrasting centre in each bloom, each of which last only a few days and close immediately if picked. The inland dessert native is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory and loves full sun and dry, rocky conditions. It also responds well to some irregation, making the species perfect for the conditions of a Dunkeld summer.
The main entrance to the hotel is now alive with colour and activity as the plantings in the entrance garden bed have become well established and are now producing masses of flowers from Grevillea, Straw Daisies and Sturt Dessert Peas. The Grevillea banksii wattle bird yellow is a fine example with summer flowering attracting birds and bees to feed on its nectar. This cultivar is compact and dense, growing to around 1.5 metres and producing flowers all year round, making it ideal for native garden bed displays.
Royal Mail Gardener, Rob Glazebrook conducts tours of the hotel's extensive native gardens on the first Sunday of every month as part of Dunkeld open Gardens & Galleries. Please contact reception on 03) 5577 2241 for bookings as places are limited.