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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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

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

Caladenia hillmanii (purple-heart fingers) in open forest at Jervis Bay, NSW - spring orchids 2026.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

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

Epimedium starting to flower in the garden - Tilba Tilba, NSW

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

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

Grevillea intricata - grafted garden plant flowering winter 2026 - Corunna, NSW

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

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

Hybrid Grevillea 'Cupid's Dream' flowering in the garden late winter 2026.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

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

My single Grevillea subtiliflora has been looking great this winter in the garden with flowering kicking off in May and still going now at the end of August.

This WA species is not that well known and rarely seen in nurseries - I've had two grafted plants (both on G. robusta) that I picked up at native plant sales do well over the years in Corunna NSW, but these are pretty much the only plants I've ever seen available! In the wild it has a fairly widespread distribution but still has a priority three conservation code (Poorly-known).

Like most of the early white-flowering WA grevilleas the flowers have a sweet scent. These grafted garden plants often have seeds, flowers and new buds at the same time over the long flowering period. The intricate, fine foliage is also attractive and not as prickly as most of its close white-flowering relatives!

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

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

Lysiosepalum involucratum - flowering in the nursery.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

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

Diamond Python (Morelia spilota spilota) - Tilba Tilba, NSW.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

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

Ratibida columnifera (upright prairie coneflower / 'Mexican hat') in the nursery

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

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

Sun orchid with spots (Thelymitra ixioides / Thelymitra juncifolia) variation near Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

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

Dipodium variegatum flowering at Corunna, NSW - summer orchids 2025.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

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

Large duck orchid (Caleana major) west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

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

Some nice variations in the some of the later sun orchids with spots west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

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

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Thelymitra atronitida (black-hooded sun orchid) near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC. Flowers only open briefly on warm humid mornings and then close before midday. Usually starts to flower at this location just as the other local sun orchids have finished - only saw 1 plant this year #orchids

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Roadside onion orchids (Microtis sp.) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Maybe M. parviflora although some recent reclassifications split this widespread species into 3 x species in VIC. Tip of little finger here for scale - individual flowers are very small! #orchids #inthefield #ozplants

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Nice pink form of Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) near Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. Have seen one or two pink forms at this location in past years but haven't seen them every spring. #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Purple donkey orchids (Diuris punctata) and Trigger plants (Stylidium sp.) on the edge of Croajingalong National Park, East Gippsland, VIC. Most of the trigger plants out here were this very attractive pale-flowering form with tall flower spikes. #Orchids #Stylidium #InTheField

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Thelymitra × irregularis (crested sun orchid) near the Genoa River, VIC. This beautiful naturally occurring hybrid is thought to be a cross between T. ixioides x T. carnea (which both grow nearby). Regarded as rare in VIC but managed to see plants flowering at several locations this spring #orchids

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Slender sun orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora) and pink sun orchid (Thelymitra carnea) flowering close together near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC. These two small sun orchids combine to form some interesting hybrids at this location but I didn't see any out this year on my quick visit #orchids

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Small pink Caladenia orchid variations near the Mongarlowe River, Monga, NSW. Some interesting variations in flower colour and size in roadside plants on the edge of tall forest. Most plants here are prob closer to C. carnea although C. fuscata is more common to the north around Mongarlowe #orchids

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) variations growing side by side in open grassland near the Genoa River, VIC. Most spotted suns here have smaller flowers (+ fewer flowers / plant on shorter stems) than more typical coastal forms. Flower colour + shape is also very variable #orchids #ozplants

Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) variations growing side by side in open grassland near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC.

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) near Gipsy Point, East Gippsland, VIC. The flowers are fairly small at this location but they generally feature some of the bushiest beards of the local Calochilus. Only saw the one plant out this year in a dry spring #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField

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Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Tailed leek orchid (Prasophyllum appendiculatum) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only found the two plants out here this year which may have been a result of a dry spring - or me only having a quick look a week or so earlier than I usually drop by ;) #orchids #inthefield #ozplants

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