When I tell people the name of my business, I get two different responses.
The faces of plant enthusiasts light up."Like the flower?" they ask me. Other people stall on the pronunciation.
Correas are one of my favourite flowers, they always make me smile when I see them in bloom. Who those who aren't avid gardens, here is a brief explainer of this beautiful Australian native flower, so you too can smile when you find these beautiful blooms.
What are Correas? Are they native to Australia?
Correas are beautiful Australian native flowers. They belong to the Rutaceae family, which includes plants like citrus and boronias. The name 'correa' comes from Portuguese botanist Jose Francesco Correia da Serra (even though he never came to Australia). Some people also know correas as 'native fuchsia', or may have seen the plant before but never known the name.
There are two main types of correa: Correa alba, which have small white flowers and rounded leaves, and most other correas, such as Correa pulchella (above), which have bell-shaped flowers ranging from pink to green. Including both kinds of correa, there are 11 different species. All species of correa are native to only Australia, with most species growing from Queensland down through to Tasmania and South Australia.
All correas are small shurbs, growing to less than 2m. Correa alba grows slightly taller than other correa species, many of which tend to be sprawling and about knee height. Their tough, rounded leaves range from grey-green to deep green. Birds love both the nectar that the flowers provide, and the shelter between the leaves.
Can I plant correas in my garden?
These look beautiful in gardens! They flower from autumn through to winter, so are a great pop of colour when other plants are looking dull. There are plenty of cultivars to choose from, including some with interesting variegated leaves. While they might not have as many flowers as in full sun, Correas are able to tolerate fairly shady conditions. Gardening Australia even suggest planting Correa alba as a small hedge, which could be both beautiful and practical. There are many beautiful cultivars of correa that have been created. Some have flowers that fade from pink to green, others even have variegated foliage!
Correas are a great plant for attracting wildlife to your backyard, especially birds, as the flowers produce lots of nectar. By planting a correa, you aren't just creating a beautiful garden, you are also providing habitat and food, improving biodiversity in your garden.
Correas prefer well drained soil and are fairly drought tolerant. Since they are native to coastal areas to the south east, humidity and the tropics are not suitable; correas prefer temperate weather. They tend to be disease tolerant and generally easy to care for (though the one in my garden is looking very sad). Botanic Gardens of South Australia do not suggest planting many correa varieties near sewer mains, so keep that in mind if you want one for your backyard.
Why do I love correas?
The bell-shaped flowers of correas always make me happy. When walking around my area or in a national park, while rain hammers on my raincoat, the little flashes of pink hidden between silvery green leaves always bring a smile to my face. They are often hidden away in people's front yards, under trees or spread between other shrubs, so they can be a nice surprise to discover.
The distinctly shaped flowers are unique to Australia - correas are not native to any other country. In general, I think Australia has such beautiful native flowers. These flowers deserve to celebrated and enjoyed by more people, and what better way to celebrate their beauty than to use them to represent my business.
I also love sharing my knowledge with other people, and flowers make a wonderful conversation starter. With people who already know what correas are, I get to discuss gardening tips and favourite species. For those who have never heard of them before, I love seeing how they react, and I hope I inspire them to take a closer look at what grows in their neighbourhood.
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