PLANT OF THE WEEK
Correa glabra and other correas.
Scientific name: Correa species- Correa Glabra, Correa reflexa, Correa alba, Correa nummularifolia
Common name: Native Fuchsia
Family: Rutaceae
Common name: Native Fuchsia
Family: Rutaceae
Distribution: Mainly eastern Australia from southeast South Australia, through Victoria to eastern New South Wales and continues into south-east Queensland; it includes eastern Tasmania and Kangaroo Island off South Australia.
Australia has many small shrubs that are equivalent to if not better than some northern hemisphere plants and this one is no exception.
Plant breeders love this plant so much that there are now many hybridised forms with bigger flowers or flowers on a plant that can take full sun.
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Correa Canberra bells Did you know that there is a correa study group?
- Or that Correas makes great small bird habitat and also are a food source for insects and small birds.
- Correas are also great for those dry shady spots, so think about planting one soon.
Correas are generally easy to grow.
- Correa alba and C. glabra varieties are the hardiest withstanding heavy frost and severe droughts. Correa glabra varieties have fragrant leaves.
- Correa lawrenceana is the largest of the correas. These need to be grown in the shade and do best in an understorey habitat.; attractive to birds for both nectar and nest sites and are ideally planted in a thicket.
- Correa pulchella varieties produce the most beautiful coloured bells ranging from pale pink to deep orange to carmine. They need to be grown in part shade and watered regularly.
- Correa reflexa varieties range in colour from green to deep red: these also need to be grown in a partly shaded position and watered regularly.
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| Correa reflexa nummularifolia |
You need to know which species of correa you have so that you know their particular requirements.
- Some of the more modern hybrids can take sun but others need morning sun and/or dappled all day shade.
To grow correa at its best, a light sandy soil with good drainage and a position protected from wind, with broken or morning sunlight, is desirable.
Groups of three to five offer added protection and enhance visual appeal.
That was Adrian O’Malley, qualified horticulturist and avid native plant expert.
