A refreshing start to summer in the Blue Mountains
From the sapphire towers of the blue puya to a surprised and slightly soggy king parrot - the recent rain has the Blue Mountain Botanic Garden looking lush and gorgeous for summer visitors.
The must-see flower of early summer is the Puya alpestris ssp. zoellneri (blue puya). These spectacular South American beauties stand two meters tall with deep turquoise flowers and contrasting orange anthers that attract bees, insects, and birds.
The eucalyptus blue haze that gives our Mountains their name is the perfect backdrop for this display, so catch it this December for the best photos of its unique form and colour.
A little wattlebird is attracted to the blue puya. Photo by Greg Bourke.
It's not all blue in the Mountains - early summer rain has ensured a host of liliums, dahlias, and hydrangeas will provide vibrant blooms across the Garden.
You'll find this show-stopping dahlia in the formal garden. Photo by Greg Bourke.
Summer is a perfect time for bird watching in the cool mountain environment. Charismatic gang-gang cockatoos arrive to feed in the dogwood and walnut trees and juvenile birds are a delight to spot.
The Garden's Curator Manager, Greg Bourke, captured this photo of a king parrot after a summer downpour.
Visit the Mount Tomah Garden
See here for more flowering and fun at the Blue Mountain Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.
Related stories
Discover the fascinating story behind Sydney's biggest paper daisy display and why these remarkable native flowers captivate visitors every year at Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
Come behind the scenes on a botanical journey to preserve the first ever corpse flower in the National Herbarium of New South Wales.
Winter 2026 marks the first flowering of ‘Tsubaki Yama: Camellia Mountain’, the newest garden in Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah, and there's so much to enjoy.