Flowering calendar
August

Grevillea rosmarinifolia “Scarlet Sprite”
Also known as Grevillea rosmarinifolia Pryor’s Hybrid. This is a reliable and adaptable shrub of 1- 2 x 1 – 2 metres and will thrive in a range of soils in full or filtered sun.

Vivid red flowers have a hint of cream and are produced from July to November and flowers are nectar laden. The bright green leaves are prickly and so this shrub is best kept away from paths but its dense habit of growth provides excellent shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds. It can be formally pruned if desired.

Family: Proteacea

Epacris longiflora
This is arguably the most striking of the native heaths as it produces dense clusters of long tubular bright red flowers that have elegant white tips. These flowers are produced for most of the year along the ends of long arching branches and are beautiful as cut flowers.

Nectar-feeding birds relish these flowers and perform acrobatics when wrestling the nectar from the many blooms. This heath comes from the Sydney area but has been widely grown in Melbourne and performs reliably in a range of aspects and soils. Full or filtered sun is fine and plants still flower well in reduced light.

Plants left unpruned will scramble attractively to a width of up to two metres, however pruning after flowering achieves a bushy habit if this is desired. Plants may grow between 60cm and 1 metre high depending on approaches to pruning.

Family: Epacridacea

Stenanthemum scortechinii
This poor little shrub has had to endure a number of name changes and has been also known as Cryptandra scortechinii and there has been talk of it becoming a spyridium, so if you are wanting to read further about this plant, be prepared to look it up under a few names at least.

Regardless of the name, it is a beautiful small shrub which grows, in its typical form, to around a metre or so high and with a similar width.

It has unusual greyish to white globular flowers produced at the ends of the branches from June to December and small green leaves.

This is an adaptable plant that will grow in most well-drained soils and is most suitable for growing under a canopy of trees.

A long-lasting cut flower. There is a dainty ground cover form available.

Family: Rhamnaciae

Phebalium squamulosum subsp. squamulosum
This is a very variable plant and there are many different foliage and flower forms of Phebalium squamulosum in cultivation.

This easily grown plant is often chosen for growing under established trees and will flower well in quite dense shade.

Clusters of cream or pale to mid yellow flowers are produced from August through to October.

Foliage varies but is usually slightly hairy.

This is a pretty cut flower.
Variations of this plant occur in Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania.
Family: Rutaceae

Stenocarpus sinuatus Firewheel Tree
This is a spectacular tree in flower with remarkable bright red flowers that look like wheels and are at least the size of a fifty cent piece.

The deeply lobed glossy green leaves are variable in size but are striking in appearance and the size of an adult hand.

In nature this is a large rainforest tree from Queensland and Northern NSW and can reach 10 metres or more and while plants do not generally grow as tall as those in nature, this is not a suitable tree for a small garden.

This tree has been grown successfully as far south as Melbourne but can be frost-tender while young.

While Firewheel Tree prefers deep loamy soil and some moisture, it will tolerate less favourable soils and conditions. It may be grown in a large container indoors while young for its beautiful foliage.

Family: Proteacea