Correa baeuerlenii - Chef's hat correa
I just adore this little correa. I should save it for a winter 'plant of the month' when it's at its best, but I love it at this time of year too, with it's glossy deep green leaves on red stems and slender, bell-shaped greenish yellow blooms. The flowers appear intermittently throughout the year, but are more profuse from early to late winter.
It grows to about a meter by a meter in cultivation, is evergreen and once established, tolerates the odd dry spell, coastal conditions and some frost...what a hardy little fella! In fact, it's one of the hardiest Correas for use in the garden.
Chef's hat correa performs at its best if planted in a protected position with some shade and although it needs some moisture, it doesn't like to have wet feet for too long so well-drained soil is a must.
Of the Rutaceae family, its endemic to NSW but is suitable for other southern states of Australia...doing really well down here in Tassie.
A light prune after flowering will maintain a lovely dense habit and if you plan to use fertiliser, remember...low phosphorus for natives.
Honey eating birds love this Correa as much as I do, so plant in a position where you can enjoy the spectacle!
