Centenary Canberra Bells planted at Government House

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher along with Centenary of Canberra Creative Director Robyn Archer AO today joined Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, in planting the official Centenary of Canberra plant, the Correa Canberra Bells, in the iconic gardens of Government House.

"I am very pleased to join the Governor-General in welcoming the native Correa Canberra Bells plants to her garden today and thank her for supporting the Centenary of Canberra," the Chief Minister.

"The gardens at Government House are diverse and beautiful, and our colourful but hardy little Australian plants will be right at home here in their native climate, where hopefully they will be enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors to come.

"The Correa Canberra Bells themselves can grow to around one metre tall with a one metre spread and have a bell shaped red and cream coloured flower," the Chief Minister said

The gardens at Government House are already home to various plants and trees placed there by visiting Australian and foreign dignitaries, including a tree planted by the Queen and Prince Philip on their visit to Canberra in October 2011.

The plant is being distributed to retailers throughout the Canberra region by Yarralumla Nursery, and will be available across Australia (with the exception of the Northern Territory and far North Queensland, where the humid climate is not suitable).

"The Canberra Bells can already be found growing in other iconic locations, including the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the National Arboretum, as well as in many private gardens throughout the region," the Chief Minister said.

"Canberrans who would like to see the Correas in their new home can attend the annual Open Day at Government House, which is taking place on Sunday 18th March and also helps to raise money for The Smith Family," the Chief Minister concluded.

For more information and a list of stockists, visit http://www.canberra100.com.au/ or call the Canberra Region Visitor's Centre on 1300 554 114.