Drouin's Ficifolias are about to perform. Some are already
fully dressed with their brilliant scarlet flowers for which they are renown.
Lorikeets, bees and other insects are certainly appreciative of their sweet-smelling
nectar.
Princes Way west is the avenue of Ficifolias most well known
and some trees on top of the hill between Longwarry Rd and Main Neerim Rd are
well in flower. The trees 'in the dip' between Longwarry Rd and Albert Rd are
not far behind.
It is interesting to note that a few individuals that copped
some severe pruning recently have already begun to shoot from epicormic buds.
Corymbia ficifolia, (previously
Eucalyptus ficfolia – DNA analysis in
2009 resulted in a change of classification), have an extremely small area of natural distribution near Albany
in WA, hence the origin of one of its common names – Albany Red Flowering Gum.
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| florabase.dpa.wa.gov.au |
Ficifolias are popular ornamental street, park and garden
trees. Much research and experimentation has resulted in grafted varieties from
nurseries being much truer to colour form than seedlings grown from seed.
Don't forget Drouin's Ficifolia Festival – 4th to
10th Feb, (https://www.facebook.com/FicifoliaFestival).
The trees remember this event EVERY year!