Winter Wonders - Araluen Botanic Park

Winter Wonders

The magnificent Magnolias are prized for their large and perfumed flowers. Blooming in the cooler late winter months. The flowers are shaped like tulips and are a sight to behold near the Bennet’s Lawns along the walk to the Forest View Deck. This ancient genus is said to have appeared before the bees did and the flowers are theorised to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles.

Araluen is host to a brilliantly coloured blooms in its Rhododendron and Azalea collections. The clusters of bell-shaped blooms and evergreen foliage, of make these the perfect choice for the shaded pathways, and they look extremely pretty against the granite walls and paved areas along Chalet Healy Road. Some of these bushes and trees now date back to the early YAL days in the 1930’s when bringing plant materials across borders was acceptable and encouraged.

It has become increasingly difficult to import Rhododendrons into Western Australia in recent years, so we are nurturing the collection by striking cuttings to sure the longevity of the current genus.

Daphne is an evergreen shrub native to Asia. A great ornamental at Araluen and noted as popular due to its strongly scented flowers and bright clusters of flowers.

Luculia, native to the Himalayas, from Northern India into Western China can be found on Brisbane hill, don’t be fooled by this little shrub which will put out an incredible perfumed scent from its pretty pink or white flowers in the right conditions.