Native Storksbill

Geraniums (Pelargonium xhortorum) had a big rise in popularity during the recent drought in Melbourne. Their native counterpart has many of the attributes and more of the more commonly planted South African species: 

Pelargonium Australe

This widespread native species will self seed into a huge range of soil types and conditions, including gravel driveways, pots, rockeries, pretty much anywhere with well drained soils. It can also tolerate heavier soils and compaction. I think it is a great little plant, particularly for a herb/cottage/native garden styles, flowering throughout spring and summer. It also can develop gorgeous red foliage in autumn and winter as a result of colder weather, tolerating a wide range of temperatures. Another Pelargonium species with this feature is the P. rodneyanum that is less vigorous but has a lovely magenta coloured flower. The roots of both species were eaten by Aboriginies in Victoria. The P. rodneyanum has a smaller leaf that is often a glossy deep green rather than dull like the P. australe. 

These P. australe were found their way (self-sown) into my silverbeet container. Long after the silverbeet had gone  in summer and the pot out of use receiving no additional water, these little pelargoniums remained. So they were transplanted  into the windowsill planter box below, facing south where there is very little direct sunlight. They may not reach their full size (small rounded bush to 50cm) in this situation or I may have to thin them out to encourage bushiness.   

Edwardes Lake Park

Edwards Lake Park in Reservoir has some really significant community values:

• Open space for public use
• Capturing and filtering storm water for large urban catchment area
• Providing habitat for waterbirds

It features bike/walking paths, BBQ and picnic facilities, several playgrounds, 2 undercover/shelter areas, athletics track and even a sailing clubhouse. It is located adjacent to a sports oval and an industrial complex, it is the largest park in Preston/Reservoir/Thomastown area. As it is a large park, there is balance between revegetation, large mature trees (deciduous, native and pine species), turf and built structures, which appears to be mainly low maintenance. However there is not a great deal of cohesion between the spaces, which could be helped by garden beds drawing lines between the spaces that could still represent values of the park. 

The revegetation and development of a billabong wetland system began in the early 2000's, prior to this there was scattered plantings of Eucalypts and Melaleuca throughout the park. The wetland is ephemeral and is dry most of the summer and in winter acts as an overflow area for the lake. Today most of the lake perimeter has been revegetated with semi-aquatic indigenous species. This is important for water quality, erosion control, bird habitat and trapping debris. Due to weed control works and the selection of aggressive and fast growing species, this area has minimal weeds and can cope with inundation and drying out. Recent plantings of grasses, shrubs and forbes compliment the lake edge vegetation but require more maintenance and replanting.

Blooms in the desert

I will have to remind myself to do a trip to Central Australia when it is bone dry sometime as it would look quite different to what I saw, after a 3 + years of solidly above average rainfall – the green centre. Pretty much on the Tropic of Capricorn, it gets a lot of year round sunshine, add water and a  lush garden oasis results.

Olive Pink Botanic Gardens in Alice Springs
Darling Lilies (Crinum sp.) in foreground

Another feature that makes the Centre a plant lovers dream is the McDonnell Ranges, that provide a vast array of microclimates and niches, making it a biodiversity hotspot. The tallest peak of the ranges is Mt Ziel, 1531 m above sea level, high enough for the very occasional snowfall. These ranges are surrounded by desert to the south, west, north and east, however they span a few hundred kilometres east-west either side of Alice Springs.

Graziers delight in West McDonnell Ranges
A.K.A the red centre

Typically the main wildflower show is spring, however when the below photo were taken in March when many plants were going through a second or third set of flowering due to the high rainfall of 2010/11. Some common species I saw looking a showy spectacular were the Desert Rose (Gossypium sp.), the feathery Ptilotus sp. and Chinese Lantern Abuliton sp.

Variation in colour of Swainsonia sp.