Canberra Bells Commemorative Plant Variety
21 Mar 2013
Plant breeder’s rights rarely make the headlines, but this story grows on you. Canberra has reached the ripe old age of 100 and organisers have gone out on a limb with an official commemorative plant variety.
The Canberra Bells Correa is sometimes referred to as the ‘native fuchsia’ and has red and cream coloured flowers. The correa flowers throughout autumn and was selected for its stunning flowers and tolerance to frost and drought. In true ‘bush capital’ fashion, the flower is also indigenous to the Canberra region.
The decision to breed a new correa variety was made by a panel of local experts, including representatives from the Australian Native Plant Society, Yarralumla Nursery, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens .
Experienced native plant breeders, Peter and Jennifer Ollerenshaw of Bywong Nursery, developed the new hybrid. The resulting plant variety is an attractive, hardy shrub, with stunning bell-shaped flowers that attract nectar-feeding birds. Canberra Bells flowers throughout autumn, adding colour to Canberra’s birthday celebrations in March each year.
Canberra’s Centenary plant is protected by plant breeder’s rights (PBR), a form of intellectual property administered by IP Australia. PBR protects new varieties of plants that are distinguishable, uniform and stable. However, in the case of the Correa genus, no technical guidelines existed. IP Australia assisted Mr Ollerenshaw with a testing protocol resulting in the plant’s detailed description for publication.
Canberra Bells are already growing in excellent company at Government House, the Australian Botanic Gardens and the National Arboretum. Canberra Bells were also selected for the Flora and Law Exhibition in the High Court foyer during Floriade 2010 and features on the front cover of the 100th issue of the Plant Varieties Journal.
Visit Plants Management Australia’s website to find out where you can purchase plants in your state.
Last Updated: 21/3/2013
