Category: Gardens

May Bush (Spiraea cantoniensis)

Well, spring is here and there are many plants coming into bloom in Paluma gardens, despite the prolonged dry spell over past weeks. September is always an inspiring time for gardeners at Paluma.

One of the most spectacular flowering shrubs at this time of year is the May bush. It tends to be a rambling shrub with arching branches forming a rounded-shaped shrub. The shrub tends to go unnoticed until it bursts into flower in the spring. Clusters of intricate snow-white double flowers cover the entire shrub, forming a spectacular display. When in full bloom the plants are a great attractant for native bees.

      

The common name ‘May bush’ is somewhat misleading because it flowers in September and October in the southern hemisphere. The species name ‘cantoniensis’ refers to this plant’s origins in South Eastern China and in the northern hemisphere it flowers in May.

The May bush is easy to grow and thrives in the cool mountain climate at Paluma. Many gardens along Mt Spec Road currently have May bushes in full bloom. Keep an eye out for these spectacular shrubs on your next walk through the village.

 

 

 

 

Powder-Puff Lillypilly   (Syzygium wilsonii)

This beautiful small tree or shrub, also known as Plum Satin-Ash, may be seen in several Paluma gardens and also in the forest understory along the upper reaches of the Range Road. A modest, dainty tree, almost spindly in growth, it is easily overlooked until the emergence of new leaves. These cascade in pendant clusters of brilliant crimson, flame-like against the dark green of older leaves.

Flowering occurs between June and December, but here in Paluma the months of August and September see the most prolific blooming. At present there are many flowers to be seen, hanging demurely beneath long, dark green leaves. The gorgeous flowers are made up of dense clusters of filaments which form a delicate red pompon, about the size of an orange. They attract many birds, mostly honey-eaters. Clusters of cherry-sized creamy white fruit follow flowering.  It is not recorded whether they are edible, but most fruits of the Syzygium species are edible.

Syzygium wilsonii is usually seen as a shrub growing to about 3 metres, but it can occasionally grow to 9 metres. Its timber is fine-textured and moderately hard. It is resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers.  The wood can be used for making musical instruments, tool handles and furniture.

See if you can spot some of these gorgeous flowers hanging shyly beneath long leaves in Paluma gardens.

Text & Photo by Colwyn Campbell

Pink Madonna orchid (Cattleya trianaei)

This superb specimen of Cattleya orchid belongs to Paluma residents Michael and Donna Drew. The beautiful mauve, deep purple and yellow blooms are long lasting and Michael says that these flowers first opened in early July.

The orchid is about 10 years old and was purchased by Donna at an Orchid Society Show in Townsville. The plant is happily growing in shaded conditions in the fork of a small tree with rough, corky bark. Michael feeds the plant regularly with a spray of liquid fish emulsion and the odd banana skin (as a source of potassium).

Michael has named the orchid ‘Pink Madonna’ after his lovely wife, Donna.

Did you know that the genus of Cattleya orchids was first named in 1824 in tribute to William Cattley of England who was a keen cultivator of tropical plants.  These orchids originate from the Central and South Americas.

Text and Photos by Michele Bird

Several gardens in Paluma have peach trees which are at present coming into bloom. Buds are swelling along the slender branchlets, with many flowers already open. Another week, (it is 12 July at the time of writing), should see the trees densely covered in delicate pink blossoms. Unless heavy rain washes the blossom off, the tree will display its beauty for up to three weeks. Tiny fruit will begin forming which will swell and ripen in the summer months but Bush Rats and White-tailed Rats will have eaten most of them well before then.

The peach is a deciduous tree and looks bare and straggly for a few months during the year, until mid- winter, but is worth growing for its sheer beauty during the flowering period.

 

Paluma must be one of the few places in the tropics where a tree more suited to a temperate climate can thrive.

Text and photos by Colwyn Campbell

What’s Flowering at Paluma in July?  Roof Iris (Iris tectorum)

This species of clumping iris is known as Iris tectorum. It is a perennial plant native to China and Burma. It is called the Roof Iris because in Japan it is grown on the ridges of the roofs of thatched houses. The plants grow from a thick rhizome which forms spreading clumps. These plants thrive in Paluma as they prefer dry and cold winters, with warm and wet summers. The plants prefer partial shade as opposed to full sun. The remarkable flowers range in colour from lavender-blue to bluish-violet shades.

The leaves are light-green in colour and sword-shaped. The flowers attract bees and other insects which are important for pollination. Iris plants flower between June and August and after flowering they produce an ellipsoid seed capsule with black-brown seeds.

As you walk through the village of Paluma during the winter months, keep an eye out for some spectacular iris flowers, especially in the gardens along Mount Spec Road.

Text and photos by Michele Bird

Paluma gardeners Nick and Glenda Van Rynswoud are well known for their gardening finesse and expertise in growing a variety of plants too numerous to mention. They have an award-winning garden at 40 Mt Spec Road and in 2017 they were crowned the Overall Winner in the Paluma Garden Competition.

Just recently it became apparent that these two very keen gardeners just might have produced the largest flower of the Camellia genus that has been seen in the village!

The remarkable flower measures at least 15cm x 15cm and is about the size of a small plate. It is soft pink in colour with a beautiful ruffled edge. What is most surprising is that this large flower has been produced on a relatively tiny shrub, no more than 50 cm in height.

Glenda bought the plant from a market stall so she does not know the species or variety of the plant. All we know is that is it likely to be from the genus Camellia. Glenda was told the plant was a ‘red camellia’ so you can imagine her surprise when the large ruffled pink flowers started to appear.

Could this be the largest single Camellia flower grown in Paluma village?

Have you grown a larger flower in your garden, or do you know of other flowers of this size? Let us know!!

Brightening these bleak, wintry days with splashes of cheerful colour are the dainty tea-trees (genus Leptospermum), seen in many gardens in Paluma.  Several beautiful specimens of this plant can be seen in the garden of the Rainforest Inn, where shrubs representing two or three varieties of tea-tree grow in a cluster.  One shrub bears deep pink flowers, while the others range through paler pink to almost white.

 
Pale pink tea-tree (photo by Michele Bird)

The common name, tea-tree was derived from early attempts by settlers to use the aromatic leaves of some species as a substitute for tea.  Capt. James Cook also, is said to have experimented with using the leaves to make tea.

Deep pink tea-tree (photo by Michele Bird)

Currently 86 species are recognized, 83 of which occur in Australia. The first formal description of Leptospermum was by German botanists, Johann Reinhold Forster and his son, also Johann. A clear definition of the species was not achieved until 1979 and since then many more species have been described. The wood of tea-tree is very hard and has been used for turning, carving and tool handles, as well as durable brushwood fences.

Another eye-catching shrub is the Snowflake Tree, a species of Euphorbia.  An example of this plant can be seen in Lennox Crescent where a lovely specimen is densely covered with small white flowers. From a distance the tree looks as if it is snow-covered.

There are 2100 species of Euphorbia.  The red Poinsettia, of which a few grow in Paluma gardens, is one most people would be familiar with.  Another variety is the bright red, spiny ‘Crown of Thorns’ which adds to the brilliant colour in the garden at Number 40 Mount Spec Road.

Other flowering plants bringing colour to the village are notably, Camellias, Azaleas, Hibiscus and the ever reliable Balsam (Impatiens).

Text by Colwyn Campbell