A colourful Corner

---

Hervey bay has a moderate climate year round, but it can get hot mid summer as we experienced some years back. So, on hot days the Botanical Gardens always give a very pleasant cool and shady spot to enjoy.

There are ponds with fountains, a quaint Bush Chapel, a Japanese Water Garden, a variety of birds to spot in and around the water ways, and many flowering trees and shrubs to enjoy.

Probably, from our perspective, the best feature is the orchid display. On any day, you will see maybe 200 varieties of plants making this a very worthwhile spot to spend an hour or so. To keep this display fully up to scratch, it is backed up by green houses holding around 20,000 plants.

Interspersed with the orchids are many unusual foliage plants, and we found these quite intriguing as well. Not being a botanist or even a green thumb, I'll just let the camera do the talking for this blog. There is a small cover charge to enter, and access is Monday to Friday which we found odd in a major tourist centre. So, plan ahead and you will find a helpful volunteer running the display who will point out plants of significance. For example, all you green thumbs, Marg and I were shown an oxalis plant, best known as a very pest and weed, but in this case, it could enhance any garden. Look for the picture!

Some of the orchids on display this week have flowers so small you can barely see them. The Orchid House supplies a large magnifying glass to allow a close up view. These tiny flowers have those same attractive shapes and markings as their big cousins. The flowers on display include Australian Native Orchids as well as those imported from around the world. Some a little bizarre, others quaint, many bold and beautiful.

Although not locally made, they have for sale real orchids preserved for ever with a clear coating. These are either broaches or pendants, and my travelling companion is now sporting one where ever she goes. Photo of broach is below.

---

Photos

Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens
Throughout the gardens there are many colourful displays to catch the eye.

The Orchid House
One of the more unusual orchids, both in colour and form.

What put a smile on Marg's face?
Marg tells everyone that she kills orchids, but today she has an unkillable one to enjoy.

Tiny Orchid
You would need three of these to cover my smallest finger nail. I didn't photograph the smallest orchid. Each bloom would have been 3mm across at a guess.

A weed on display
Yes, this is oxalis! Seems that a weed is something you don't want to grow, but when bred and potted it can become a collector's item!

Not an orchid
Interesting colours none the less

Weird!
Almost like an inside out orchid.

Pitcher Plants
Water accumulates in the pitchers and also trap small insects which become a source of food.

Comments

[Mum & Dad]

Well done
Some really beautiful orchids God surely made some wonderful flowers and plants so intricate and colourful.

[D MJ Binkley]

Flowers
Nice

[RENanDREW]

I kill orchids too :)
Lovely orchid photos Rob.

[Jakii Hyde]

Orchids
Just stunning.

[Ake Och Emma]

Nice blog entry
I liked this entry. Thanks for sharing it with us. /Ake