Each night as I come home from work I have been struck with the almost luminous qualities of Correa reflexa variety numulariifolia (a mouthful of a name that simply refers to the round, coin-shaped leaves). Against the background of dark green foliage, the limey-lemon coloured flowers seem to glow with a fluorescent zest in the dimming winter evening, putting out a clear signpost to the honeyeaters looking for that last feed for the day.
Parrots, too, made an impression on me the other day. A normally plain-looking melaleuca had three bright red ‘blooms’ amongst its foliage. The ‘blooms’ of course were Crimson Rosellas sitting quietly in the shrub and eating the seeds from the capsules, creating some bright splashes in a gentle winter scene with softly falling rain and grey skies. We should not overlook the importance of seeds as a means of attracting wildlife (and colour) to our gardens.
A small unidentified Zieria that has been in the ground for nearly two years now looks pleasing any time with its neat, rounded shape but is particularly nice now that it is completely covered in soft pink flowers. Although the leaves release a fairly strong odour when handled, I feel it’s a little unfair to call it by its common name of ‘Stinkwood’ as I consider the smell more reminiscent of its relatives, the Boronias. With its adult size unknown I am not sure how it will fit in to the garden in the longer term but even if just for the winter display I’m prepared to make sure there is a place for it.