Spring is on the way

It was a fine morning at the scrub and although it has now been dry for quite a while, the place is looking good, being more sheltered in the gully. The Wonga vine was the most obvious flower but others are on their way and it will be worth a visit in the next few weeks. Asparagus vine continues to germinate and is starting to climb once again, so we will need to be vigilant and not allow it to regain the canopy.
Our efforts in controlling it have made such a difference to the place with some nice views through, and into it, now with the interesting variety of plants. Bamboo grass is doing well on the ground level and you will find interesting seedlings growing in it as well. Birds and butterflies are also busy.

New signs are up

It was a lovely morning in the scrub for our first meeting for 2012. We now have 8 new signs around the perimeter to provide a pleasant informative stroll. With all the rain, the vegetation is looking fresh and lush. We picked up pink flowers which had fallen from Pandorea vines which are climbing happily through the canopy. They are a vivid reminder of how suitable many of our local native plants are for home gardens.

See also New Sign Trail at Toowoomba Plants

Bower Vine flowering in our canopy

We were pleased to find pink flowers on the ground while wandering in our reserve at our February meeting.

Bower Vine or Pandorea jasminoides is a popular and attractive garden plant and it is native to our area. A root-climbing woody twiner, it flowers from spring to summer. It is common in the rainforests and wet Eucalypt forests along the Dividing Range. They also grow naturally in the drier environment of Gowrie Junction.

They have shiny green foliage and their large, trumpet-shaped flowers are light pink with a ruby red throat.

As the name suggests, they are substantial vines with woody stems,suitable for training over an arch or pergola to make a lovely shady bower. Alternatively, they are popular on fences and trellises.

More information on growing these local natives in your own garden can be found at Toowoomba Plants