Bunuru (February – March)
Bunuru is the hottest time of the year with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue to blow across the valley and later in the day a weak sea breeze arrives. This late summer period is when our massed natural tree cover comes into bloom. Both Marri and Jarrah are decked with white blossoms that are noisily appreciated by abundant wildlife. With running water and shade underneath Bunuru is a great time to stroll along our many paths and discover a range of plants that flower at this time of year.
Djeran (April – May)
Djeran season sees a break in the really hot weather with a dewy presence in the early mornings. In the Perth’s Hills, it’s a special time. As the temperature dips deciduous trees prepare for winter by withdrawing as much nutrient from their leaves as possible and as a result reveal striking yellow, gold, bronze, orange and red tones that light up the landscape. A stroll through the gardens in Autumn is to marvel at the leaf show both on the trees and the ground beneath. It’s a great time to smell the roses too. Once the summer heat has passed roses produce their best and sweetest smelling blooms of the year.
Late in the season, once the ground is moist and soft it’s a great time for planting, especially the many thousands of tulip bulbs that will create an amazing display later in Djilba.
Makuru (June – July)
As tulip planting finishes, Makuru brings much-needed rain to the gardens and boosting the flow of creeks that babble along rocky paths before spectacularly tumbling over waterfalls and down to the Canning River. The cooler weather brings out the best in some plants. Daffodils burst forth late in the season as do the early Sasanqua Camellias while Correas brighten our days as well as those of the many birds that love their flowers. Fungi love our organic approach to gardening and put on a unique show at this time too.
Djilba (August – September)
Djilba is a time when many plants stir into action after a winter sleep and at Araluen, it’s a truly spectacular awakening. The ground erupts as many thousands of tulips push their way up to form blankets of colour, accompanied by our Magnolias and internationally recognised collection of camellias. The Sasanqua camellias may have been flowering for a while with their dainty ruffled blooms but spring sees the plump buds of hundreds of other Camellia species, hybrids and cultivars burst forth in all their glory. Araluen is a riot of colour in spring just about everywhere you look, including the Chalet Healy Cafe draped in a pale blue blanket of wisteria.
Kambarang (October – November)
Kambarang is another colourful season in the park. As the tulips slowly fade many other plants come into peak flowering, especially our hundreds of roses that enjoy the longer days and warming sun. The Azaleas and Rhododendrons look their best too and the extensive plantings of many species and cultivars of Hydrangea really come into their own with huge blooms in shades of blue, white and pink. Look out also for special plants like the Blueberry Ash and Luculia with their stunning floral displays.
Kambarang is also a great time to discover and admire our many wildflowers that are scattered through the park and bushland.