The Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa) is a species of woody shrub, of the genus Banksia in the Proteaceae family, native to eastern Australia. Widely distributed, it is found as an understorey plant in open dry forest or heathland from Victoria to northern Queensland, generally on sandstone though sometimes also clay soils. It generally grows as a small shrub to 2 metres in height, though can be a straggly tree to 6 metres. It has long narrow leaves with inflorescences which can vary considerably in coloration; while the spikes are gold or less commonly yellowish, the emergent styles may be a wide range of colours – from black, purple, red, orange or yellow.
Banksia spinulosa was named by James Edward Smith in England in 1793, after being collected by John White, most likely in 1792. He gave it the common name Prickly-leaved Banksia, though this has fallen out of use. With four currently recognised varieties, the species has had a complicated taxonomic history, with two varieties initially described as separate species in the early 19th century. A fourth, from the New England region, has only recently been described. However there has been disagreement whether one, var. cunninghamii, is distinct enough to once again have specific status.
The Hairpin Banksia is pollinated by and provides food for a wide array of vertebrate and invertebrate animals in the autumn and winter months. Its floral display and fine foliage have made it a popular garden plant with many horticultural selections available. With the recent trend towards smaller gardens, compact dwarf forms of Banksia spinulosa have become popular; the first available, Banksia 'Birthday Candles', has achieved a great deal of commercial success and wide recognition, and has been followed by several others.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
Fitzroy is a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 2 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District. At the 2011 Census, Fitzroy had a population of 9,430. Planned as Melbourne's first suburb, it was later also one of the city's first areas to gain municipal status. It occupies Melbourne's smallest and most densely populated suburban area, just 100 Ha, bordered by Alexandra Parade (north), Victoria Parade (south), Smith Street (east) and Nicholson Street.
It has a long associations with the working class and is currently inhabited by a wide variety of ethnicities and socio-economic groups and is known for a culture of bohemianism, being the main home of Melbourne's Fringe Festival. Its commercial heart is Brunswick Street, which is one of Melbourne's major retail, eating, and entertainment strips. It has undergone waves of both urban renewal and gentrification since the 1950s. In response to past planning practices, much of the suburb is now a historic preservation precinct, with many individual buildings and streetscapes covered by Heritage Overlays. Its built environment is diverse and features some of the finest examples of Victorian era architecture in Melbourne.
This post is part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
A couple of days ago it was quite a foggy morning in Melbourne. Some early risers braved the cold and fog and went for their morning walk in any case. Our post boxes are still red, by the way!
This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.
CERES - Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies, is an award winning, not-for-profit, sustainability centre located on 4.5 hectares on the Merri Creek in East Brunswick, Melbourne. It is no accident that the acronym was chosen mindful of the fact that Ceres was the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture (hence "cereals"). I have already posted some shots from CERES, which you can see here and here.
The CERES Return of the Sacred Kingfisher Festival is an annual community celebration welcoming the Sacred Kingfisher back to its original habitat, along the banks of the Merri Creek in Brunswick. The Sacred Kingfisher bird has become a symbol of "hope" connecting people and place. It is a community ritual and a working process with the Wurundjeri people, various cultural communities and performers of all ages and abilities.
As long as the Kingfisher returns each year in Spring, it is a sign that we are taking care of our local environment and the home or Stamping Ground of the Sacred Kingfisher. The community is invited annually to wear Kingfisher colours, make a mask, learn the Kingfisher Boogie at the Village Green and follow the Giant Mother Kingfisher puppet through CERES in celebration of the Return of the Sacred Kingfisher. The murals publicise the event.
This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. The park features steep river escarpments, open woodlands, playing fields and golf courses. The park can be explored by foot or by bike, there is boating on the river and one can enjoy superb views of the city skyline. Pleasant picnic areas, barbecues, rotundas and playgrounds make it popular with families. Meals, refreshments and boat hire are available at venues within the park.
This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Weekly TopShot meme,
and also part of the Scenic Weekends meme.
Our weather the past few days has been very unsettled, with so much variety that none can complain. Here is a rather stormy sky photographed last week during a walk around the neighbourhood. Thankfully the rain held off till we got home...
This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.
You can tell Winter is nearly over in Melbourne when the orchids begin to flower. We are blessed with a mild climate and the Cymbidium orchids will grow well in protected spots in our gardens, without needing any extra care.
Cymbidium is the "king of orchids", as it is cold-tolerant and suitable for most temperate locations worldwide. These orchids are, along with Phaleonopsis, the most recognisable of all orchids, and rightly very popular. Easy to grow and bloom these elegant, hardy orchids come in a huge range of colours, sizes and shapes. See more information here.
We saw some delightful plants for sale last Sunday in the Kingsbury Drive Community Market. Although it was tempting to buy some, we resisted as we have about a dozen plants growing in our garden and what's more they are beginning to flower also. No harm in taking some photos, though.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
All Nations Park is a contemporary 13 hectare regional park created on the site of the former 'Northcote Landfill'. The official opening on the 23 February, 2002 was attended by an estimated crowd of over 10,000 people. Situated behind Northcote Shopping Plaza the elevated site provides views, which are a striking feature of the park. A wildlife pond attracts birds, amongst which are ducks, moorhens and crested pigeons.
The All Nations Park landscape reflects Darebin's cultural diversity in the visual arts and design components of the park, and has many unique features including, The Hilltop, Veterans Walk and ANZAC Memorial, lake and performance area, The Olive Grove, lawn areas, contemporary Indigenous gardens, playground with disabled access, skate park, arts projects, outdoor exercise area for All Abilities.
This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wild Bird Wednesday meme.
