This afternoon I went into Sydney as it has been a really nice day, even if a little on the hot and humid side! I like going into Sydney very now and then, just to get out on a weekend and do something other than sit around at home. While I was out and about, I took some photos of the plants I saw.
Around the CBD of Sydney, there are always planter boxes full of plant displays. Every time I’ve been in over the past few months, these have been different combinations of plants. First up are a couple of photos of the purple and pink/red combination.
I am a huge fan of having as many plants around as possible, all of the time. These planter boxes are an easy way to do so from a maintenance perspective. If a plant dies, they just replace that one pot rather than the whole display (they keep individual plants in individual pots-I’ve checked on a previous visit). My only criticism is that they don’t have many permanent, perennial plantings across the CBD area unless it’s a park or around Circular Quay. I hope that in time this changes-perennials don’t always have to be just trees or box hedges!
I like the colour combinations that the council use for their planter boxes, I find them rather cheerful!
I like the fact that that also have a range of flower forms too-with salvias in purple and yellow daisies.
The picture below is taken from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, looking down on street trees. I thought it looked rather interesting.
Around the edges of Circular Quay, there are lots of garden beds. In this one, there are palm trees, birds nest ferns and liriope among others. I like that there are a range of leaf forms and shades of green and purple, without it being too complicated.
Plants always amaze me in that they can grow anywhere if they want to-provided that they can get water and some form of nutrition, if the conditions are right they will grow! In the picture below are several plants, some daisies and a fig tree. It is the fig tree that impresses me as they do grow huge if given the chance, but are happy to make a start in a crack in the wall in the wall of Sydney harbour at Circular Quay where all the ferries leave from.
These Philiodendron xanadu planted in pots at the Overseas Passanger Terminal (where cruise ships dock) are happy in this often sunny, hot position. I love the shape of these leaves and find that it can also deal with a fair amount of shade too, along with little maintenance.
The image below was again taken from the harbour bridge. They are growing in a funny spot between the bridge and some random city buildings, but seem to be quite happy and provide some visual interest.
Next we have one of the trees occupying my local train station. I think it is a Fraxinus griffithii that is a native to countries like Indonesia. This one seems quite happy where it is, the other of the same species, is not quite as happy. This shows how genetics can play a part in how well a plant does, as both trees are in the same place, in the same conditions, but they are behaving differently under these conditions.
This is a view of a park from the harbour bridge.
This picture is also from the harbour bridge looking over at the Opera House. The green space to the right is the botanic gardens. The ship sat at the Overseas Passenger Terminal is the Celebrity Edge, just in case you are wondering.
Below are the purple leaves of Altenanthera dentata. They provide a nice change in colour. Do keep them in a fairly shady spot because they struggle in strong summer sun.
Again, some more plants in the wall at Circular Quay.
The last two pictures are of a Lilly Pilly, with its bright pink berries and the pink new growth. I think they look lovely next to the green older leaves.
