Correa - Australia's Native Fuchsia
Many gardeners of Australian Natives are familiar with the plant name Correa as a flowering shrub for your garden. The name Correa is derived from Correa de Serra, a Portuguese botanist. The genus Correa consists of 12 species, subspecies and cultivars, with new forms appearing at Nurseries all the time. This plant comes in a myriad of colours and flower sizes, featuring 4 petals fused together in a pendulous bell tube, with colours ranging from yellow, red, green or combinations but also has white flowering forms. These plants range in size from the prostrate form through to the tree Correa, with most 1 metre to 2 metres in height. Good drainage is required for best results and raised beds could be an option in clay soils.
Belonging to the plant family Rutaceae, this genus is widely grown and is of interest to many gardeners as it flowers in the winter and gives colour to garden beds that would usually be devoid of colour in the colder periods. Most Correa varieties prefer dappled shade although they will cope in full sunlight. It will often be found in coastal positions, Correa alba can be seen growing along coastal cliff tops in s/e Victoria and is also found on the small island offshore. All species of Correa are frost hardy and will tolerate periods of dryness and do not require regular watering, ‘once established’. Regular watering should occur for the first couple of months and then they can almost get by on their own, except during severe drought conditions as recently experienced. These are a great plant for attracting nectar feeding birds to your garden. Some of the common varieties found in Nurseries are, C. reflexa, C. alba, C. pulchella, and also the many hybrids/cultivars.
Caring for your plants
Correa’s respond well to tip pruning after planting and can be made into compact bushes by clipping, with either shears or a hedge trimmer. This clipping should be timed so as not to interfere with the flowering time of the plant otherwise flowers will not form. Very little maintenance is required with these plants apart from a trim once a year. If you decide to fertilise your plants, do so using a Low Phosphorous slow release granular mix specifically for designed Australian Natives. These fertilisers have a N.P.K. rating of 10-25%(N) - 0-4%(P) - 5-7%(K) and are safe to use on your Correa's.
Propagation is best carried out using cuttings which strike readily from tip cuttings.
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