Newtown Community Garden

I have passed by within metres of this garden in inner-city Newtown countless times and never noticed this delightful community garden just one short block back from the main street.

The space is utilised by locals for growing vegetables and other plants.

There are rainwater tanks for watering, and bins of compost and mulch.

Sally and Ann's Excellent Adventure 18: Flannel Flower

 Sydney (or Eastern) flannel flowers (Actinotus helianthi) along the track through Bangalley Head. It is a member of the carrot family!

Crazy tree

I can't remember what this tree is called. Any help gratefully received!

Illawarra Flame Tree

Photos taken 29 Nov 2012 on iPhone 4S

A contrast to the lavendar of November jacarandas is the native Illawarra flame tree. They are often planted alongside each other. This specimen is in Arncliffe Park.

The Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)  is native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. Sometimes it is called a Kurrajong, like other brachychitons of which it is a relative.
The flowers are bell-shaped, and it has pod-like fruit, which contain masses of thin bristles and seeds. The seeds were eaten by Aborigines after toasting.

Sydney - November - Jacaranda

Jacarandas bloom all over Sydney; the petals fall to form carpets of lavender, which then turn to slippery brown sludge as the inevitable November storms make themselves known. November in Sydney is:

kids doing their final school exams;
summer trying to put in an appearance - hot, sunny days of 34 degrees and cool, cludy days of barely 20;
thunderstorms;
christmas making its presence known in shops;
early pre-christmas office parties, and family get-togethers;
putting away the doona and those nights where you can't decide it you're hot or cold;
all the blue flowers - jacarandas, agapanthus, iris, plumbago....
my birthday



Garden