The Pilliga Forest is blooming in all its glory with a spectacular show of spring wildflowers.

It’s an ancient and unique place and a tough competitive life for plants in the forest with limited water, hot dry summers and cold winters. But this year a wetter than average winter has stimulated a mass of plants into producing some stunning floral displays.

An enthusiastic group of locals recently went on a tag-a-long tour of the Pilliga Forest’s wildflower hot spots. Bilby Boom’s native plant identification experts, Anthony O’Halloran and Annabelle Greenup, accompanied by environmentalist Sue Brookhouse led the expedition into the wildflower spectacle.

“This is probably the best spring flowering that I have ever seen in the Pilliga,” Anthony said. "Coming in from the east on number 1 break road and heading north up Rocky Road into County Line Road is just spectacular, as well as at the Sculptures in the Scrub.

The bright red hop bush makes a stunning backdrop to smaller plants. (image; A.O’Halloran)

“The season has been particularly good in the northern part of the forest, not too frosty and regular water for around the last six to eight months have pushed it all along.  Normally our winters involve frosty dry spells, but we have barely had more than three frosts in row; it has been frequently mild and wet," he said.

“There is a cascade of species coming in a little bit earlier than normal. You will see the Dampiera adpressa, a prominent blue flower, on the sides of the roads such as Ironbark Crossing and Burma Road."

“One of the plants I have a soft spot for is the Mint Bush and the species that is dominant in the forest at the moment is a beautiful purple one that really comes out at you particularly on the rocky ridges. Usually, you see just one or two plants here and there, but this year they are jumping out at you with lots of flowers.  I have never seen it before; they are very striking. 

“In the pure white department, the Wedding Bush is also stunning and you can see this on number 1 break and Burma Road. There is a beautiful Westringia cheelii around the Salt Caves and, towards the northern section of Country Line Road and heading up to Schwaggers Bore, there is the pink Phebalium nottii, which is an amazing hot pink flower with yellow stamens; it is eye-catching.

“The narrow leaved hop bush is an outstanding red. Since it is the fruit that give colour, they will be in fierce display for the next few weeks. These pendulous plants are growing up to two metres and standing above the white Westringia and blue Dampiera they give a wonderful display.”

Earlier flowering

“Although many of the plants are flowering earlier than normal, we can expect a flowering of different species going right through to October and November. Some of the plants flower in response to the amount of daylight and some flower in response to the ambient temperatures. The ambient temperatures are around two weeks early this year and the plants that flower on a given amount of light are right on time, so both are doing really well," Anthony said.

Known as a biodiversity hotspot, the Pilliga contains an estimated 900 plant species, including some now widely grown in cultivation, as well as many threatened species. It is a mixture of a state reserve, national park and state forest.  

Wildflower explorers: Anthony O’Halloran and Annabelle Greenup guided a group of wildflower enthusiasts through the Pilliga Forest. Pictured are, Anthony O’Halloran, Annabelle Greenup with Maxine Finlay and Julie Shinton (image; S.Brookhouse)

“I have driven over 300 kms through the forest and the good news is that there are very few introduced plant species to be seen,” Anthony added. “The Pilliga Forest is a joyous expression of Australian beauty without any feral plants getting in the way," he said.

“Also, a reminder that the birds are something to look for at the moment. On our drive through the forest the wood swallows were just sitting on the ground looking for insects and the Rainbow Bee-eaters should be arriving soon in October; they are a most beautiful bird.  

“So just go out there and enjoy natures wonder right on our doorstep.”