#correa reflexa

[chlorophyll-and-chitin]

Correa reflexa

23-MAY-2025

Melbourne, Vic

[malleedesign]

New Post has been published on http://malleedesign.com.au/tasmanian-winter-correas/

Tasmanian Winter Correas

Ohhh my pretties! Correas are so, so sweet… sometimes I catch myself speaking to them using my special voice reserved for babies, dogs and small birds 😉 Correas were out everywhere in Tasmania when I was there last month, they are used on council verges, carparks and kids playgrounds and they look spectacular!

The pink and pale yellow Correa above is Correa reflexa, this is the most widespread member of the genus and the most variable, growing from anywhere between half a metre to 1.5 metres high.

Now heres where it gets even more confusing the image above is of a green form of Correas reflexa, isn’t it beautiful? This Correa grows naturally along the east coast and can get uptown 2-3 metres high.

Correas grow well in Tasmania due to the low humidity in Summer and often naturally well drained soil, I saw several examples of them hedged into low borders and medium screens.

In the image above you can see Correa ‘Ivory Bells’ which  is believed to be a hybrid of Correa alba and Correa backhouseana, both of which grow extremely well in the southern states.

One of the reasons I adore Correas is for their small bird habitat appeal and also as a food source for insects and small birds.

Here is one that does grow quite easily in coastal NSW, Correa alba, this Correa has the least bell like flowers of all the species, the pretty little white flowers open up like stars amongst the grey round furry leaves.

Correa alba grows well in sandy free draining soils n full sun to part shade and can be pruned heavily into topiary shapes if you so wish.

And last but not least one of my favourites Correa ‘Dusky Bells’, this is a low growing Correa with luscious green leaves and deep pink to red flowers. It has a naturally dense habit which doesn’t require much pruning to stop it looking ratty.

I hope I have inspired you to plant some Correas in those difficult dry shady spots or out in the open if you are in a low humidity area of Australia, I’m sure the birds will thanks you for it 🙂

[sol-lunas]

Correa Reflexa in my sister's garden by pamsai, 2K views, thank you Via Flickr: Correa (native fuchsia) is a genus of about 11 species although there are many forms which are difficult to allocate to any particular species. They are mainly restricted to the eastern states although C.reflexa has a recorded occurrence in the east of Western Australia. Correa reflexa is the most widespread member of the genus and the most variable. It is typically a small shrub to about 1 metre in height but prostrate forms and forms reaching 3 metres are also known. Leaves often have conspicuous oil glands on their surface and may be covered with short hairs. The leaves are 10 to 50 mm long and oval shaped. In some forms the leaves bend back against the stem giving the appearance of water stress. The flowers are bell shaped and up to 40mm long. They may be pale green, red, red with yellow or cream tips or a number of other variations. The flowers produce nectar and attract honey eating birds. Flowering is usually winter to early spring.