With many Correa being excellent garden plants this is a widespread genus with species found from low growing types to shrubs and small trees
Being frost hardy, these wonderful plants are sold all over the world including the UK and USA.
How To Plant and Grow Correa
Correa naturally occur all along the east coast of Australia from Tasmania through to South East Queensland including South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
They grow from coastal areas with sandy soils where species such as Correa alba thrive to mountain areas where those such as C. lawrenceana.
It is generally the coastal types such as C. alba, C. baeuerlenii and the widely grown C.reflexa that make the best garden plants.
Most species grow naturally as an understory plant so choose a position with at least dappled afternoon shade is best. Deep shade can inhibit flowering.
Planting Your Correa
- Good drainage is essential, mound up the soil if needed.
- Smaller growing types can also be grown in containers.
- Dig a hole twice the diameter as the pot.
- Gently remove the plant from the pot – Plant at the same depth.
- Back fill around the plant
- Water in well.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run and suppress weeds.
- Use a specialist native plant fertiliser in early spring.
Pruning
We suggest that light tip pruning after flowering is best, this will help promote a bushy habit and better flowering. Correas flower from winter right through spring, are easy care and are drought tolerant once established.
Correa Varieties
Correa ‘Dusky Bells’,
These hybrids are a more compact form. Correa are sometimes referred to as ‘Native Fuchsia’ a name it shares with epacris longiflora.
Although generally drought tolerant, hybrid species do best in a moist humus rich well drained soil. Partial shade is best, but plant in a position where the flowers can be seen during May through to September.
Correa lawrenceana is very variable in height and can grow to form a small tree.
Correa reflexa and pulchella are two of the more popular species. ‘Dusky Bells’ is well known. Some of the low growing species such as C. decumbens make excellent ground cover plants. C.reflexa prostrate also works well as taller growing ground cover plant, all varieties attraact birds to the garden.
You may also be interested in
- Waratah
- Banksia
- Callistemon
- Alyogyne Huegelii (Native Hibiscus)
- Diplolaena grandiflora
- Veronica perfoliata (Diggers speedwell)
Correa species and cultivars are available for sale from the following participating nurseries
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order
www.whitehousenursery.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au