Glen Ryan

Thelymitra pauciflora (slender sun orchid) variations near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC - pink and blue forms flowering next to each other. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants #spring #wildflowers

Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) in Croajingolong NP, VIC. Only one plant out at this location (just starting to flower). This widespread sp. is common across East Gippsland but I've only ever seen a couple of scattered plants here (growing near red beard orchids in heathland) #orchids

Spotted sun orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) near the Genoa Rr, East Gippsland, VIC. Only a handful of plants still in flower on this visit as drier conditions may have slightly curtailed the flowering season. Most plants here have fewer/smaller flowers than this more typical form. #orchids #inthefield

Purple donkey orchids (Diuris punctata) starting to flower, East Gippsland, VIC. Mostly only single flowers out on this visit but plenty of buds still to open. A fairly widespread sp. in VIC/NSW but regarded as vulnerable in VIC due to habitat depletion. #orchids #inthefield #biodiversity

Thelymitra longiloba (marsh sun orchid) in open heathland near Genoa, VIC. Was a bit late this year to see a lot of flowering at this location with only one still out (all other plants nearby had already finished). Flowers are v. small - tip of my little finger included here for scale! #orchids

Prasophyllum brevilabre (Short-lip Leek-orchid) near Mallacoota, VIC. In many places this species is only seen after fires but at this location the odd plant appears from time to time even in non-fire affected seasons. #orchids #inthefield #OzPLants

First flowers are out on the patch of sun orchids (Thelymitra sp. - T. pauciflora/T. peniculata) behind my house at Corunna, NSW. This pop. suffered a little from extra mowing + foot traffic this yr before the installation of a new roof on the house - but there's still a good no. out now #orchids

Grevillea scortechinii (black grevillea) in the garden is coming into bloom after a hard prune over winter. This grafted plant is over 20 yrs old now. One of a handful of grevillea species with interesting 'black' flowers but unfortunately rarely seen in nurseries #grevilleas #ozplants #inthegarden

Grevillea buxifolia (grey spider flower) flowering in the garden near Corunna, NSW. Another attractive sandstone species which is unfortunately not common in cultivation down my way (may be easier to find closer to Sydney or in Victorian native plant nurseries). #grevilleas #gardening #ozplants

Isopogon anemonifolius in coastal heathland near Vincentia NSW. Of the 7 x NSW isopogon sp. this is the only one I ever see in nurseries down my way - but I don't see it often any more. All of the NSW sp. offer potential as garden plants with interesting foliage, buds, flowers + cones #proteaceae

Caladenia hillmanii (purple-heart fingers) near Hyams Beach, NSW. This is a good location to see this early spring-flowering orchid with some nice variations out from as early as late August. #Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Botany #Spring #InTheField #Caladenia #BloomScrolling #WildFlowers

Coastal #Proteaceae at South Pacific Heathland Reserve, Ulladulla NSW. (Clockwise from T-L) Lambertia, Conospermum, Grevillea and Isopogon in flower on a short stroll. There's also Banksia, Petrophile, Persoonia and Telopea (NSW Waratah) nearby - many at the southern limit of their pops. #ozplants

Spotted sun orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) near Hyam's Beach, NSW - another coastal location where most of the flowers have no spots. Flowering had already pretty much finished here in mid-September with only a handful of plants still out. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants #biodiversity

Grevillea patulifolia in coastal heathland near Ulladulla, NSW. The similar G. linearifolia also grows at this location with some plants possible intergrades. Prob the best G. patulifolia I've seen in terms of horticultural potential (also the form with the palest flowers). #grevilleas #inthefield

Grevillea macleayana flowering in coastal heathland near Ulladulla, NSW. These coastal plants with mostly entire, elliptic leaves + semi-prostrate habit when young offer a lot as garden plants - but I'm not sure when I last saw one available in a nursery or native plant sale. #grevilleas #ozplants

Caladenia hillmanii (purple-heart fingers) in open forest at Jervis Bay, NSW. Some variation in flower size, shape and colour at this location with some plants not having the distinctive maroon labellum side-lobes this species is known for. #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField #Spring

The first Epimediums are starting to flower in the (recently expanded) woodland perennial section of our garden at Tilba Tilba. This is not a garden I have much to do with at all - and I don't really know for sure what varieties they might be - but I still really enjoy them every year! #perennials

Flannel flowers (Actinotus helianthi) in coastal heathland near Ulladulla, NSW (generally regarded as the southern limit of this distinctive species). Very popular with a range of the smaller local pollinators on this sunny but cool spring morning! #Wildflowers #OzPlants #InTheField #Biodiversity

Spotted sun orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) in coastal heathland, Jervis Bay NP, NSW. Most plants at this location have no spots at all which is not uncommon with coastal populations. This sp. is less shy to flower than most sun orchids - these were still open on a cool, cloudy afternoon. #orchids

First flying ducks (Caleana major - large duck orchid) of the spring near Jervis Bay, NSW. Out pretty early here compared to the ducks I see most seasons further south in East Gippsland - often as late as mid-November. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants #biodiversity #wildflowers

Another winter-flowering grevillea doing well this year in the garden after a hard prune last year is the G. banksii prostrate form. This grows to about 30cm tall x 2m + wide creating a striking groundcover or cascading feature (mine spreads out over the edge of a rock wall). #grevilleas #gardening

Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is already flowering again in the garden after a hard prune in winter. This is a great hybrid for using as either a feature plant or a dense screen. Not uncommon in nurseries at times but not sure why growers don't have larger no.s available right across the yr #grevilleas

Dendrobium speciosum variations starting to flower this week (client's garden). This widespread orchid is common on rocky outcrops around my Tilba Tilba home but not sure I've seen a lot out in the wild yet so far this year. #orchids #ozplants #inthegarden

Grevillea intricata is another white-flowering WA sp. putting on a good winter show this year. Grafted plants (on G. robusta) can be long-lived in the east and form dense tangles of intricate foliage in the garden at Corunna, NSW - with a mass of flowers also featuring winter /spring. #grevilleas

Sun orchid (Thelymitra sp.) + onion orchid (Microtis sp.) growing together on the edge of spotted gum forest near Corunna, NSW (spring 2025). This location is a local orchid 'hot-spot' with beard orchids also found here but is on private land which has recently been sold - so future = ? #orchids

Been trialing the hybrid Grevillea 'Cupid's Dream' in several gardens for over a year now and while the flowers are showy I'm not sure I'm totally sold on the overall shape and vigour of the plant in local conditions (far southcoast NSW). Might come good this spring / summer though ... #grevilleas

Grevillea subtiliflora has been looking great this winter in the garden with flowering starting in May and still going at the end of Aug. This WA sp. is not well known (priority 3 conserv.) + rarely seen in nurseries. I've had 2 grafted plants from plant sales do well at Corunna, NSW #grevilleas

The Lysiosepalum involucratum are looking pretty good in the nursery this weekend. This compact native shrub from WA is probably the best of the obscure small Aussie Malvaceae in SE NSW where it does surprisingly well in summer humidity (with excellent drainage). #ozplants #Malvaceae #gardening

Morning sunbaker in the Euphorbia Diamond Frosts ... small Diamond Python (Morelia spilota spilota) on today's gardening job in Tilba Tilba, NSW. #Snakes #Pythons #Reptiles #Gardening #InTheGarden #TodaysOffice #TilbaTilba #Australia

Purple hyacinth orchid (Dipodium punctatum) at Mystery Bay, NSW. Just the one plant out and only just starting to flower in late Feb. I usually see this sp. flowering nearby from late Nov - this is prob the latest flowering I have seen (although it can flower into March at some locations) #Orchids

Discovered Ratibida columnifera (upright prairie coneflower / 'Mexican hat') for the first time today (in the nursery) ... already one of my favourite coneflowers ;) #InTheNursery #Wildflowers #Coneflowers #Summer #Perennials #Gardening #TilbaTilba #BloomScrolling

Large duck orchid (Caleana major) + sun orchid with spots (Thelymitra ixioides / Thelymitra juncifolia) near Karbeethong, E. Gippsland, VIC. Only made it down south on 3 mornings this spring but still managed to see a good range of the regular locals (plus several new orchids!) #orchids #inthefield

Microtis parviflora (slender onion orchid) growing amongst the sun orchids at the back of the house - Corunna, NSW. Grows here alongside Microtis unifolia (common onion orchid) which has shorter flowering stems with more crowded flowers at this location. #orchids #ozplants

A few more late-flowering sun orchids with spots (Thelymitra ixioides / Thelymitra juncifolia) variations near Mallacoota, E. Gippsland, VIC. Only plants in part shade on the edge of the forest were still flowering in early Nov at this location - usually in slightly damper soils #orchids #inthefield

Rosy hyacinth orchid (Dipodium roseum) still flowering at Christmas, Corunna, NSW. Only a few small scattered plants out this yr at home with almost no meaningful spring rainfall + a dry start to summer. But quite a few larger flowering stems out on roadside verges between Tilba and Narooma #orchids

Late-flowering sun orchids with spots (Thelymitra ixioides / Thelymitra juncifolia) variations near Karbeethong, East Gippsland, VIC. Quite a few different variations still in flower here in more shaded spots with protection from harsh afternoon sun when more exposed plants have finished #orchids

It's been another poor year for the hyacinth orchids (Dipodium) at home in Corunna, NSW with most of the small patch of Dipodium variegatum not flowering at all after a dry spring. However in recent weeks several new flower spikes have emerged later than usual - but with only 2 or 3 flowers #orchids

Sun orchids (Thelymitra) growing together in open grassland west of Mallacoota, E. Gippsland, VIC. Sun orchids with spots (T. ixioides / T. juncifolia) growing near T. carnea + species in the T. pauciflora group can lead to some beautiful hybrids - including T. x irregularis (top right) #orchids

Grevillea candelabroides (grafted) flowering in the garden at Corunna, NSW. This beautiful WA species features attractive foliage and large sprays of creamy white flowers (which are scented). Grafted plants are a good option in the east but are not often seen in nurseries #grevilleas #ozplants

Late flowering sun orchids with spots (Thelymitra ixioides / Thelymitra juncifolia) west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. Not sure if slightly different lobes on these plants are just a result of aging - or something different. Only saw one plant like this on the last trip. #orchids #inthefield

Interesting form of Thelymitra × irregularis (crested sun orchid) near Karbeethong, East Gippsland, VIC. Only one roadside plant out at this location with fewer spots and richer colours than other nearby populations.I haven't seen this beautiful natural hybrid here before. #orchids #inthefield

Black-hooded sun orchid (Thelymitra atronitida) near Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. This uncommon species tends to be very shy to flower - usually only see one or two flowers open briefly on warm/humid mornings. A nice patch of plants at this location but only one flower open. #orchids #inthefield

Microtis unifolia (common onion orchid) growing amongst the sun orchids at the back of the house, Corunna, NSW. Flowers are very small - standard Aussie fly included for scale. Grows here alongside a robust form of M. parviflora (slender onion orchid) which has much longer flowering stems #orchids

Crested sun orchid (Thelymitra × irregularis) west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. Slightly different form of this beautiful naturally occurring hybrid (thought to be a cross between T. ixioides x T. carnea) compared to plants growing further west near Genoa. Only a couple of plants out #orchids

Double ducks west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. Didn't see a lot of large duck orchids (Caleana major) on my couple of brief East Gippsland trips this year but did see scattered plants in full flight at a couple of locations. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants

Nice variations in the some of the later sun orchids with spots west of Mallacoota, VIC. I've decided to go with sun orchids with spots rather than spotted sun orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) as there are maybe just as many plants at this location that could also be T. juncifolia - or hybrids #orchids

Probably the best purple donkey orchids (Diuris punctata) I saw this spring near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. I only made it down for a brief visit at the start of November this year so a lot of plants were not out in full flower when I was there. #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField

Cymbidium sauve (Grass-leaf Cymbidium / snake orchid) in the rain at Corunna, NSW. After what looked like a goodish start to the flowering season only one plant on the road in actually made it to full-flowering - the very dry spring affected most other plants around the property. #orchids #cymbidium

Sun orchid (Thelymitra) variations growing close together on the edge of Croajingolong NP, VIC. Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) are common nearby but in open grassland some smaller-flowering forms are maybe closer to the very similar Thelymitra juncifolia (rush-leaf sun orchid) #orchids

Rosy hyacinth orchids (Dipodium roseum) out in the light rain at Corunna, NSW. Dipodium are the most visible summer orchids around Corunna with 3 x species growing locally. This patch of D. roseum next to the track behind the house are usually the the first ones out most years #Orchids #OzPlants