When is a hibiscus not a hibiscus?

Alyogyne hakeifolia

When it is an Alyogyne. This genus is closely related to the hibiscus, and used to be included with them. 

They are only found in Australia, with Alyogyne hakeifolia usually found in the desert conditions of Western and South Australia. However, as you can see, it is growing very happily near the drinking fountain at Peacehaven.

Close up of flower

 According to the Australian Native Plant Society it has no general common name, but I have heard it called Red-centred Hibiscus. It has a long flowering season from November to March. There are mauve, yellow and pink forms. The flowers are tulip-shaped, not opening like a true hibiscus, and the leaves needle-shaped like a Hakea. Hence its name, hakeifolia.  


A well drained, sheltered, sunny spot would be a perfect place in your garden for this medium-sized shrub.

What's flowering this week?

This attractive flowering bush is covered in blooms at the moment. It is the lovely Crinkle Bush, Lomatia siaifolia. You'll find it along the eastern fence flanking the dry rainforest section beyond the Old Dairy. 

It has grevillea like leaves and is of the same family, Proteaceae. It is long-lived and is ideal for an informal hedge, flowering all through summer. It can be pruned to make it bushier. It grows naturally in the Hampton-Pechey area. 

Crinkle Bush, Lomatia silaifolia

Flower spike

Individual flowers

It can be propagated from seed or cutting. Is tolerant of dry periods, light frosts and recovers after bushfire.


There are a few young plants in the nursery just ask for them.


More can be found about this shrub here: http://toowoombaplants2008.blogspot.com/2010/12/crinkle-bush.html

Australian Harebell

The Australian Harebell, Isotoma axillaris. 

Look what's available in the Peacehaven nursery this week: the Australian Harebell, Isotoma axillaris. 

It is one of my favourite wildflowers, flowering as early as October, right through to May.

Here are some tips from the Australian National Botanic Gardens website: It grows in damp crevices or shallow soil in rocky areas, and is particularly suitable for planting in rockeries, containers and native cottage gardens. Isotoma axillaris is easily propagated and requires minimal maintenance, yet flowers profusely and for many months. The plants thrive in well-drained, humus-enriched soil and full sun, but will tolerate dappled shade. They give lasting flower displays in return for very little work. http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2008/isotoma-spp.html  

Be careful when preparing cuttings. The stems exude a white latex that may cause irritation to sensitive skin. However the sap seems to be equally distasteful to potential herbivores.

Isotoma: from iso, meaning equal, and toma, meaning a section, referring to the equal lengths of the corolla segments, helping to distinguish Isotoma from the genus Lobelia.


axillaris: borne in the axil, referring to the position of the flowers in the axils of leaves.