Project

Canberra Bells

On Canberra's 97th anniversary Chief Minister Jon Stanhope revealed the common name for the Correa cultivar selected as the official Centenary native plant.

Canberra Bells was chosen as the common name for the brand-new Correa variety from over 250 suggestions. The attractive, hardy shrub, which features two-tone, red and cream bell-like flowers, will be released for sale in 2012.

Mr Stanhope said the panel of experts that selected the Correa cultivar as the commemorative Centenary plant reformed to select the name.

“I am very pleased to use Canberra’s 97th anniversary to announce Canberra Bells as the common name for Canberra’s official Centenary flower,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The name was chosen from over 250 suggestions and I thank the community for their enthusiasm. Canberra’s many keen gardeners will be able to purchase this special plant in 2012."

Quick facts about the Correa cultivar or Canberra Bells:

• The name was chosen from over 250 suggestions by a panel including representatives from the ACT branch of the Australian Native Plant Society, the Yarralumla Nursery, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, experienced native plant breeder Mr Peter Ollerenshaw and local media  personality and native plant evangelist, Mr Ian Warden.
• The Correa’s registered botanic name is Correa C100.
• Like Canberra, the new Correa variety is born out of Federation, with one of its parent plants appropriately called Correa ‘Federation Belle’ and the other ‘Correa Mannii’.
• The variety was specifically chosen for its drought and frost tolerance.
• It flowers throughout autumn, which means it will add a flourish of colour to local gardens during the peak of Canberra’s birthday celebrations in March 2013.
• Bywong Nursery, which has a special breeding programme for new plant varieties, is propagating the new variety.