Australian Fuchsia

Sat, 09/12/2009 - 8:14am — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Vera Kark, PADG

Botanical Name:

Correa 'Dusky Bells'

Pronunciation:

(KOR-ree-uh)

Common Name:

Australian Fuchsia

Plant Type:

Shrub

Mature Size:

6 ft. to 8 ft. wide and 2 ft. to 3 ft. tall

Water Requirements:

Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun, shade

Flower Color :

Reddish pink to red, cream, orange, and greenish yellow

Wildlife:

Attracts birds

This plant is deer resistant

Correa is a plant that doesn't get used enough in Bay Area gardens. Let's list its attributes: it thrives in sun, partial sun, or shade; it is deer resistant and bird friendly; it has pretty, long-lasting flowers that provide winter color; it does well with moderate to occasional water, it does not get too big, it tolerates our alkaline soil, and it is evergreen.

What's not to like? Well, some Master Gardeners have found Correa to be short-lived in their home gardens. At the Palo Alto Demonstration garden this plant is still going strong after several years in the garden.

Look for some of the newer cultivars of Correa that have been bred to have flowers more visible above the foliage.

One more thing -- this shrub requires no deadheading or pruning. It is practically maintenance-free!