The Native Fucshia, or Correa is an hardy genus of only 11 species from SE Australia, named after the Portugese Botanist Jose Correa da Serra. The plants are all evergreen, hardy to most frosts and coastal conditions, will tolerate extended dry periods and flower from mid winter to late spring. They are very easy to grow preferring a well drained soil in part to full sun. They respond well to a moderate prune each year to keep the foliage vigorous and compact. The flowers are tubular (almost Fuchsia like) and great for attracting nectar feeding birds.
‘Redex’ is an upright cultivar with attractive red yellow tube flowers from spring to late summer. It is easy to grow reaching 75cm high and 60cm wide. It has small round green foliage and is a great landscaping plant for a wide variety of locations. ‘Redex’ is a cultivar with Correa decumbens and Correa reflexa as parents. An annual feed with Osmocote Outdoor Tree and Shrubs and a light prune in spring will keep it looking good.
Correa ‘Redex’ responds well in a wide variety of soils and will tolerate quite dry conditions. The flowers give it a cottage garden type appearance and it looks great in a native, formal or cottage garden. Plant with other small natives like Correa ‘Win’s Wonder’, shape into small hedge or interplant with Penstemon, and Salvia.
