BMNP has an area of 270,000 hectares and provides a sanctuary for a wide range of native plants. As an example over 90 species of eucalypts are found in the park.

This time we will concentrate on plants that have horticultural potential. Some are already in favour with local gardeners whilst others are waiting to come into local cultivation.

In spring probably the most visible plants is the Telopea speciosissima, the Waratah. The large, beautiful red flower is in fact a number of individual blooms supported by red floral bracts.

There has been a proliferation of hybrids and cultivars in the past few years. There is even a white-flowered form known as “Wirrimbirra White”. “Braidwood Brilliant” is a hybrid with “conventional” red flowers. This hybrid was developed and grown in Canberra and has proved to be frost tolerant.

The Waratah is the NSW floral emblem and is a member of the Proteaceae family together with the banksias, grevilleas and hakeas.

Lambertia formosa, the Mountain Devil, is a another member of the Proteaceae family.

The Mountain Devil is the unofficial floral emblem of the Blue Mountains.

This upright shrub reaches a height of two metres. The dark green leaves are hard, glossy, arranged in threes and have a sharp point.

The vivid orange-red flowers are held at the end of branches in clusters of seven individual blooms.  They are rich in nectar and attract both birds and insects. Spring is the main flowering period but flowers are often present at other times.

The woody fruits have a distinctive shape. They have a short beak with two long horns. This gives the fruits their “devil-like” appearance. Each fruit hold two seeds.

Both fruits and flowers are interesting features.

Hakea constablei is a rare plant from the BMNP.  This tall shrub has narrow, prickly foliage. In summer plants produce clusters of 6-12 white flowers at the base of the leaves. Birds and insects are attracted to the nectar-rich blooms.

Flowers are followed by large, distinctive woody fruits. They are 40-55 millimetres long, 40 millimetres wide and covered with warty lumps. Each fruit holds two winged seeds.

Hakea constablei would be a useful addition to the larger garden. The prickly foliage provides protected nesting sites for small native birds.

Originally this species was thought to only occur in the Mount Wilson area, of the Blue Mountains. A few years ago populations of Hakea constablei were discovered in the Mittagong area, many kilometres from Mount Wilson. In the fullness of time more populations are likely to be found in the southern sections of the BMNP.

These are just a very small number of the plants from the BMNP that would be suitable for cultivation in local gardens.