Correas
Correa ‘Jetty Red’
We now grow 62 different correas (August 2022) , more than 40 of them named cultivars. We have planted 575 different plants, of which half remain in May 2020. The best of our species correas is Correa alba, or White Correa, which forms part of a double hedge across the front of our property. The taller part of the hedge is Callistemon salignus. We have planted approximately 60 C. alba in this hedge at two different times, 40 in 2007 and 20 in 2013. We have only had to replace about ten of these plants due to drought and heat. They form a most satisfactory hedge, with attractive dark green foliage with silver backs and many starry white flowers over a long period. This hedge has been clipped several times to make it even and to encourage growth. We recently purchased from Kuranga Nursery Correa alba ‘Star Showers’. This is a prostrate plant with the same leaves and flowers as the parent and is thriving in dappled shade in our garden.
Correa alba as a hedge in front of Callistemon salignus (photo above left) and flowers of Correa alba
Our other favourite species correa is Correa baeuerlenii or Chef’s Cap Correa. We grow approximately 20 of these under a large Portuguese Cypress, Cupressus lusitanica. We were told originally that these correas needed protection from frost and direct sun, even heavy shade, but by the way they are marching out into the sun, I doubt that advice. They are a very attractive correa with glossy, dark green leaves, green bell shaped flowers with a unique fused calyx which gives flowers the appearance of a chef's hat. The other valued feature of this correa, along with most other correas, is that they flower for a long time in winter and provide food for the birds. Another asset is the leaves, when crushed, smell like bubblegum. These plants are from the south coast of NSW and are listed as vulnerable in the wild.
Correa baeuerlenii flower
We purchased three Correa calycina from Kuranga Nursery in 2007 and have enjoyed their green bells, much visited by spinebeills, and leaves with rusty, furry backs. These plants are from Fleurieu Peninsula, SA, and are endangered in the wild. After over a decade of enjoyment we removed the original three plants this year as they had become leggy and beaten down by the frost and drought. We have planted Correa calycina bronze leaf from Kuranga Nursery to replace them.
Correa decumbens 'Mt. Lofty' flower
As part of our original planting we put in 10 Correa decumbens prostrate and 15 Correa decumbens ‘Mt. Lofty’. Both are tough plants for a tough position and have persisted through the early years in the garden without the benefit of shade or protection. The prostrate version is not as low growing as ‘Mt. Lofty’ which makes us suspect that the identification is incorrect. Maria Hitchcock thought that the plant we have was more likely to be Correa ‘Pink Panther’. We really like the upturned red and green flowers of ‘Mt. Lofty’ and the way it suckers and spreads in the shaded part of the garden.
We have a number of different Correa glabra growing in the garden, identifed variously as having green, red or yellow flowers. These are stalwart plants with glossy green leaves which grow rapidly and flower profusely.
Correa glabra ‘Barossa Gold’ (labove left) and Correa glabra ‘Long John’ (above right)
Correa lawrenceana var. rosea, or Red Mountain Correa, is an tall evergreen shrub with rich green leaves and pale red flowers most of the year. It needs a semi-shaded, cool, moist position and tolerates snow and frost. We have tried a couple of these plants with mixed success, but have now hit on a better position in the garden for the last three we planted. These are now thriving and flowering over a long period. I hope that they will grow tall for us.
Correa mannii
Correa mannii is a small shrub with deep green heart-shaped leaves and red flowers which can only tolerate light frosts, so we have to protect it under another plant. Our landscaper orginally chose this plant to anchor the eight corners of our two parterres, but the position proved to be too exposed for these plants and they all died. We now have two planted under trees which are blooming – one died over last winter and we will replace it. The colour of the flower is especially appealing.
Correa pulchella red ( above left), Correa pulchella ‘St Andrews White‘ (middle), Correa pulchella ‘Pink Mist’ (right)
Over the years we have planted 15 Correa pulchella, both pink and red flowered, and also pulchella cultivars ‘St. Andrews White’ and ‘Pink Mist’. These are marvellous plants in the garden, reliable, free flowering and long lasting. I remember Gwyn and Geoff Clarke saying they were advised that these plants were short lived, but theirs was still thriving 37 years after they first planted it in their Canberra garden. A friend gave us 4 ‘St. Andrews White’ to try in the garden and we had to stand back as they leapt from the ground with dense, shiny foliage and lovely white flowers. ‘Pink Mist’ is another attractive cultivar and has performed well for us.
We planted 5 Correa sp. hybrid (lemon) two years ago. This plant is sold regularly at our ANPS Canberra sales and is recommended strongly as prolific in flower. We lost two of them in the frost, but the other three have just started to flower for us. The origin of this plant remains a bit obscure and I cannot throw any light on its history. The plant is prostrate for us with dark green leaves and short, wide, creamy lemon flowers.
Correa ‘Mallee Pastel’ and Correa ‘Mallee Pink’ have performed well for us, especially one ‘Mallee Pink’ bush which has been covered in flowers every winter since 2005.
Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ (left), Correa ‘Catie Bec’ (middle) and Correa ‘OMG’ (right)
Peter Ollerenshaw of Bywong Nursery near Canberra has developed many correas, including ‘Canberra Bells’ which was chosen as Centennial Plant for Canberra in 2013. We find that ‘Canberra Bells’ does better in a pot for us, where it can sometimes have 100 red and white blooms on a small bush. We did not have any success with it in the ground. Peter’s collection, Winter Bells, consists of ‘Adorabell’, ‘Annabell’, ‘Canberra Bells’, ‘Catie Bec’, ‘Green Dream, ‘Isabell’, ‘Jezabell’, ‘Just a Touch’, ‘Little Cate’, ‘OMG’, ‘Peter Sutton’ and ‘Snowbelle’. These are small attractive plants with a variety of flower colours. We have tried 50 plants in this collection and lost 28 of them for varying reasons. This shows that we have a tough time keeping correas alive even if they are bred in our region and for our conditions.
We had two uncharacteristically wet years in Canberra 2010-2011 (La Nina), and along with many other gardeners lost numerous correas in sodden soils. I felt downhearted with the many failures during those two years. Correa ‘Angel’s Tears’, C. ‘Federation Belle’, C. ‘Firebird’, C. glabra red form, C. ‘Green Dream’, C. ‘Pinker Bells’, C. reflexa Kangaroo Island form, C. reflexa ‘Skye Bells’, C. reflexa x decumbens, C. reflexa var. reflexa ‘Brisbane Ranges’ and Correa ‘Tucker Time Dinner Bells’ all died during 2010-2011 despite being well established before that wetter period.
Correa glabra “Winter Glow’ plants as mounded cluster under a cyprus tree (left) and flower (right)
One of our foundation plantings, 30 Correa glabra ‘Winter Glow’, (or ‘Coliban River’), planted under varying degrees of cypress.shade, have grown quite large even though they have been regularly clipped into cloud shapes. Their cheerful lime green bells take us through the winter and their glossy foliage looks good all year long. Despite the fact that our old (decrepit, but heritage) cypresses keep dropping limbs and smashing the plants to smithereens does not discourage them. Another foundation planting consists of about 40 plants of the reliable Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ which have performed admirably.
Correa ‘Dusky Bells as a mass planting (left) and flowers (right)
Correa ‘Marian’s Marvel’ plant (above left) and flowers (above right)
I had originally planted the old stalwart Correa ‘Marian’s Marvel’ under some shade to protect it from the frost. It did flower, but not profusely. Then I saw ‘Marian’s Marvel’ planted in full sun and frost in Murrumbateman. It was magnificent. I rushed home to plant a new ‘Marians’ Marvel’ in full sun and have been rewarded by many more flowers and a healthy looking plant. Ben made 7 cuttings from our original plant and these are now thriving in plenty of sun. Do not always follow the advice to protect plants from the frost – some are quite able to cope
Correa ‘Coastal Pink’ (left), Correa ‘Lemon Twist’ (middle) and Correa ‘Redex” (right)
We have not had much luck with some of the alba cultivars, such as Correa ‘Coastal Pink’, which is surprising when you think how successful C. alba is in so many different conditions. We planted 7 of these attractive pink flowered forms, but only have 3 remaining. ‘Ice Maiden’ and ‘Lemon Twist’, also alba hybrids, have met with mixed success in our garden. Correa glabra cultivars are more successful in our garden than Correa reflexa hybrids. ‘Barossa Gold’, ‘Cappuccino’, ‘Ivory Beacon’, ‘Ivory Lantern’, ‘Long John’, ‘Red Rock Correa’, and ‘Rock Correa’ are all glabra hybrids and are flourishing in our garden, while we only have two reflexa hybrids remaining after all those we have tried, ‘Gwen’ and ‘Redex’.
We have planted about 30 Correa reflexa x decumbens ‘Redex’, a most attractive small shrub with red and yellow bird-attracting flowers which appear through summer and again from autumn to winter. I really enjoy ‘Redex’ because of its glossy crinkled leaves and cheerful red and yellow flowers. We have planted 30 of these over the years but have only 5 remaining.
Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’ plant (left) and flowers (right)
We planted 8 Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’ four years ago and have been very impressed by their prolific orange flowers and prostrate habit. We lost two of them in the horrific heat of last summer, but they are standout performers.
Correa ‘White Tips’ (left), Correa ‘Summer Belle’ (middle) and Correa ‘Rolly Polly’ (right)
Correas are very rewarding to grow with their long flowering times, attraction for the birds, and compact shape. They are eminently useful in garden design because of their neat foliage, which can be clipped, and the many small species and variety of cultivars. Some of the larger species and cultivars make great hedges and boundary plantings. We wish that correas were more reliable in our garden, as they are sensitive to both heat and cold, drought and wet periods. We will strive to provide ‘Goldilocks’ conditions for our correas in a difficult climate which is in the process of change.
Correa glabra ‘Isabell’ (left), Correa glabra ‘Pink and Cream’ (middle) and Correa ‘Ice Chimes’ (right)
Correa - in honour of Jose Francisco Correa da Serra (1751-1823), a Portuguese botanist and clergyman
Species of Correa native to:
NSW alba, baeuerlenii, glabra, lawrenceana, pulchella, reflexa
Queensland glabra, lawrenceana, pulchella, reflexa
SA aemula, alba, backhouseana, calycina, decumbens, eburnea, glabra, pulchella, reflexa
Tasmania alba, backhouseana, lawrenceana, pulchella, reflexa
WA backhouseana
Correa ‘Adorabell’
We first planted this rounded shrub, to 1m high, with bright pink flowers and glossy dark green leaves, in June 2014 and have since added another five in 2018-19. Most of these have since died, I think planted in too much shade.
Correa alba – White Correa
We have planted more than 90 of these shrubs, height 2m, width 2m, with oval green leaves and a profusion of white starry flowers from 2007-2020. We have used them as a hedge at the front of the property. These shrubs tolerate a wide range of soils, including poor dry soil. and grow well in part shade or sun. They are native to coastal areas, from northern NSW to eastern SA and Tasmania.
Correa alba ‘St. Andrews White’ (photos below, left two)
We have planted fourteen of these vigorous shrubs, 0.5m x 0.8m. with shiny healthy foliage and white flowers. The recommendation was for a partly shaded site, but our plants are happy in full sun and frost.
Correa alba ‘Star Showers’ (photos above, right two)
We planted this prostrate groundcover, height 0.3m x width 1m, with silver foliage and dainty white star shaped flowers in November 2019. This plant will grow in full sun to dappled shade and is frost tolerant. The original plant remains, but two of the four we planted in 2022 have died.
Correa ‘Annabell’
We planted one Correa ‘Annabell’ in May 2014 but it died in December. We tried another three, planted in August 2019, but all these died in the heat of summer 2019/2020. We have had success with other Bywong correas, but this one we will have to try again. ‘Annabell’ is a small shrub, 1m x 1m, with olive green leaves and prolific small pink flowers.
Correa ‘Autumn Blaze’
Another attractive correa cultivar is ‘Autumn Blaze’, a form of Correa pulchella from Kangaroo Island. This is a low spreading plant with dark green foliage and bright orange tubular flowers. We planted three in March 2007 and another two in 2008 but all died in the heat.
Correa ‘Autumn Cheer’ (photos above)
We have planted two of these hardy correas, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with many red and white flowers from early autumn to winter. This plant needs a well drained position in full sun to part shade. We planted ten more of this cultivar in May 2023.
Correa ‘Autumn Rouge’
We planted three of these hybrid correas, C. glabra x C. ‘Dusky Bells’, 1.2m high and wide, with many pink flowers with a green tip in August 2014.
Correa bauerlenii – Chef’s Cap Correa (photo below left)
We planted twelve of these correas in November 2003, with green lanceolate leaves which smell like bubblegum, and green bell-shaped flowers with a unique calyx that gives the flower the appearance of a chef's hat. These plant will grow in heavy shade but ours are marching enthusiastically out into the sun. This plant is native to southeastern NSW, between Batemans Bay and Bega.
baeuerlenii - after William Baeuerlen (b. 1845), a professional plant collector and the discoverer of this species.
Correa calycina (photo above right)
We planted three of these dense shrubs that may reach 3m high by 2m across, with soft, oblong leaves with rusty backs and green flowers, in March 2007. Although the flowers are not well displayed birds are attracted to them. This plant is native to the Fleurieu Peninsula, SA and is endangered in the wild.
Correa calycina bronze leaf
We planted this compact shrub , to 1.5m high, with mid- green foliage with velvety brown undersides and lime green tubular flowers in November 2019.
Correa ‘Canberra Bells’ (photo below left)
We have tried seven specimens of this shrub, which grows to to 1m x 1m, with oval green foliage and red and cream bell flowers from late summer to winter. The plants in the ground have not done as well for us as one we planted in a pot in March 2017. The plant in the pot blooms prolifically over a long period. Perhaps mercifully the plants in the ground were squashed flat by the fall of a pine in July 2016.
Correa ‘Candy Pink’ (photo above right)
We planted three of these dense rounded hardy shrubs, 1.5m high x 2m wide, with bronze new growth and pink starry flowers in April 2021. These plants do best in dry to moist well drained soils in part or full sun.
Correa ‘Catie Bec’ Photo below left
We have planted six of these shrubs, 1m x 1.5m wide, with pretty pink flowers, over the period 2018-21. In our garden they need some overhead protection. We planted five more in October 2023.
Correa ‘Coastal Pink’ Photo above right
We have planted seven plants of this form of Correa alba with pink flowers, growing to 2m x 2m, over the period from 2016-19, but only three remain.
Correa ‘Coral Chimes’
We planted this dense compact shrub, 0.8m high and wide, with coral bell shaped flowers, in January 2023. This plant prefers morning sun or some shade.
Correa decumbens ‘Mt. Lofty’
We planted eight of these low spreading evergreen shrubs, 30 cm high and up to 2-3 m across, in March 2004 and another seven in March 2008. . These plants have narrow dark green leaves with unusual upturned red tubular flowers that are tipped pale green. The upturned flowers distinguish Correa decumbens from other correas which have hanging bell shaped flowers.
Correa decumbens prostrate (photo below left)
We planted nine of these low spreading shrubs with red bell flowers, width to 2m, in April 2004. This plant has proved to be a tough plant for a difficult position.
Correa decumbens ‘Rose Lantern’ (photo above right)
We planted this spreading shrub, 1.5m high and wide, with dark pink bell flowers, in February 2021.
Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ (photos above)
We planted 34 of these low spreading shrubs, 60 cm high, with bright green oval foliage and deep pink bell shaped flowers, as part of our foundation planting in 2003. ‘Dusky Bells’ is a very popular,easily grown compact shrub in an open sunny position with good drainage. Since the original planting we have added another ten of these durable shrubs to our garden.
Correa ‘Eucla Gold’
We planted three of these shrubs, Correa backhouseana var. coriacea, 1m high and wide, with dark green leathery leaves that are white underneath and cream to buff yellow flowers in December 2021. This plant is Western Australia’s only correa from coastal areas near Eucla. Needs a sunny open position in well drained soil and is tolerant of frost and drought, grows slowly. All but one now sadly deceased 2024.
Correa glabra ‘Barossa Gold’ (photo below left)
We planted this compact shrub, height 1 - 1.2m, width 1 - 1.5m, which has foliage that is an unusual golden colour in full sunlight, changing to lime green in shaded conditions, in March 2014. ‘Barossa Gold’ has dusty red tubular flowers occurring in late autumn to early spring. This plant was removed January 2023, as was shaded out.
Correa glabra ‘Cappuccino’ (photo above right)
We planted this shrub, height 1.5m x 1m wide, with long fawn bells, in October 2013. This plant responds well to pruning.
Correa glabra green
We planted 10 of these fast-growing plants, 1.5m high x 1m wide, with shiny green leaves and green bell flowers as a screen in February 2021.
Correa glabra green compact 'Ivory Lantern'
We have planted three of this compact form of Correa glabra, 0.5m high and wide, with pendulous tubular, soft cream to pale green flowers in April 2018.
Correa glabra ‘Ivory Beacon’
We planted this selected form of Correa glabra, height 0.5 – 1m and width 0.5 – 1m, with many ivory bells in August 2018.
Correa glabra ‘Long John’ (photo below left)
We planted this spreading dense shrub, height 1m x 1.5m wide, with long, green, tubular flowers over a long period in October 2013.
Correa glabra pink and cream (photos above middle and right)
We planted three of these plants, 1m high and wide, with shiny green leaves and pink and cream bell flowers, in March 2017.
Correa glabra red (photos below)
We have planted this rounded shrub, 1.2-1.8m high x 1-2m wide, with smooth green leaves and red bell flowers with greenish tips, three in February 2019 and five in February 2021.
Correa glabra ‘Red Rock Correa’
We planted three of these shrubs, 1.5m high x 1.5m wide, with dark green glossy leaves with red and green tubular bell flowers, in February 2020. One died almost immediately, but the other two are thriving.
Correa glabra ‘Rock Correa’
We planted three of these shrubs, height 2-3m, x width 1-3m, with pale green tubular flowers in winter, in February 2006.
Correa glabra var. turnbulli
We have planted five of this tall form of Correa glabra, height 2-3m x width 1-3m, with shiny green foliage and red tubular flowers, from 2007-20, but only two remain.
Correa glabra ‘Winter Glow’
We planted 20 of these rounded shrubs, 2.5m high x 2m wide, with smooth rounded leaves and bell shaped lime green flowers as part of our foundation planting in December 2003. We have planted another ten since then and the glossy foliage looks good all year
Correa glabra yellow
We planted three of these rounded shrubs, 1.2-1.8m high x 1-2m wide, with bright green glossy leaves and yellow bell flowers, in February 2019.
Correa ‘Granny’s Grave’
We planted this rounded shub, 0.2m high x 0.8m wide, with dark green leaves and lime green bell flowers, in March 2023. This plant prefers full sun or part shade in well drained soils. Died January 2024.
Correa ‘Ice Chimes’ (photos above)
We planted three of these compact shrub, height 0.75m x width 0.5m, with dense foliage and many dainty white bell flowers, in November 2019.
Correa ‘Ice Maiden’ (photo below left)
We planted three of this hybrid shrub, 50cm-1m high x 1 – 1.2m wide, Correa ‘Pink Mist’ x C. alba, with dark green leaves and masses of dusty pink bells tipped with white in February 2019. One died in hot spell in February 2021, and another in June 2021, but the one that remains is flowering well.
Correa ‘Isabell’ (photo above right)
We have planted 17 of these small spreading shrubs, which grow to 75cm high, with grey-green leaves and soft pink flowers, from 2017-21. This Bywong Nursery selection definitely needs overhead protection in our garden and most of our plants have succumbed to sun and frost.
Correa ‘Ivory Bells’
We have planted eight of these shrubs 1.5m high x 2m wide, with dull green elliptical leaves, hairy below, and cream bells, from 2010-18. Correa 'Ivory Bells' originated in San Francisco, USA and is believed to be a hybrid of Correa alba and C. backhousiana.
Correa ‘Jetty Red’ (photos above)
We have planted six of this selected compact form of C. reflexa., with striking red bell shaped flowers, three in March 2016 and three in February 2021. Unfortunately only one remains of the first planting and all three correas died in the first week after the second planting. However, the one that remains is healthy and has beautiful flowers.
Correa ‘Just a Touch’
We planted two of this small rounded shrub, 1m x 1m, flowers are almost white, with just a touch of pink, in August 2023. This plant is frost hardy, drought tolerant, bred by Peter Ollerenshaw.
Correa lawrenceana var. rosea – Red Mountain Correa
We have planted ten of these tall shrubs, up to 8m high, with dark green leathery leaves and reddish bell flowers., from 2004-18. This plant prefers a cool, moist, well drained position with some shade, and will tolerate frost and snow. The birds ate the leaves of the original plants and they succumbed, but the three we planted recently are thriving in considerable shade. These plants are native to southeastern Australia, southern Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
Correa ‘Lemon Twist’ (photos above)
We have planted seven of these hybrid shrubs from 2015-21, C. reflexa var. nummularia x C. alba, 20cm high by 1m wide, which first occurred in the gardens of Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier. This plant has attractive shiny foliage and many well displayed lemon flowers over a long period.
Correa ‘Little Pink Belle’
We planted two of these hybrid plants, 80cm high and wide, with aromatic foliage and many green tipped pink bell flowers, in 2024. These are planted in part shade.
Correa ‘Lucy’
We have planted two of these hardy shrubs, in 2021-2022, 1m high and wide, with many pink curved bell flowers over a long period. These plants prefer part shade to full sun. We liked them so much that we planted six more in 2023. Those planted in full sun have grown quickly, the others in more shade are slower.
Correa ‘Mallee Pastel’ (photos above)
We planted two of these groundcover shrubs, height 30cm x width 1m, with pastel pink flowers, in 2016. Both have grown well and flower reliably each year. We planted 20 of Ben’s cuttings of this plant around the Melia in November 2023.
Correa ‘Mallee Pink’
We planted four ‘Mallee Pink’ , 1.5m high x 2m wide, a winter flowering plant with pink bell flowers, in May 2005 and another three in May 2008. Only one survives, but it is a terrific plant with many flowers over a long period.
Correa ‘Mannii’ (photos above)
We planted three of these open shrubs, 1m x 1m, with deep green heart-shaped leaves and red flowers in 2018. Only one remains, as they need even moisture and overhead protection in our garden from the frost. This plant is probably a hybrid between Correa pulchella and C. reflexa, which first appeared as a chance seedling in Sir Frederick Mann's garden in Melbourne and is named after him. Last one died March 2024.
Correa 'Marian's Marvel' (photos above)
We have planted 22 of this hybrid between C. backhousiana and C. reflexa, 2m high x 3m wide, from 2003-2019. This plant has dark green foliage and bell shaped flowers which are pink in upper section and lime green near the tip. Originally we took the advice that these plants liked shade and we had only mixed success with them. We then saw them growing beautifully in full sun at Murrumbateman, and tried cuttings from our original plants in a similar position. These plants have grown and flowered extremely well and frost does not bother them at all.
Correa ‘O.M.G.’ (photos above)
We planted five of these correas, 1.5m high and wide, with large red bell flowers, in March 2016. They were somewhat straggly shrubs at first, but responded very well to pruning.
Correa 'Pink Carpet’
We planted three of these Correa pulchella hybrids, 20cm high x 1-2m wide, with dark green rounded foliage and many pink bells, in September 2015.
Correa 'Pink Linx’
We planted three of these Correa glabra pink flowering form, a small shrub, 1m high and wide, with dense green foliage and pink lantern-shaped flowers. This plant grows best in full sun in well drained soils and is frost and drought hardy. Unfortunately we have lost two of them this year, 2024, and only one remains. I fear that I have placed them where they might get wet feet.
Correa 'Pink VoVo' (photos above)
We planted this Correa backhouseana x reflexa hybrid, 1.2 m high x 1.5 m wide, an open shrub with pink and cream bell flowers, in October 2013.
Correa pulchella – Wild Fuchsia
We have planted 15 of these correas, 1m x 1m, with decorative salmon bell flowers from 2005-19. This small neat shrub from South Australia provides great winter color, and prefers moist well-drained soils in a sunny to partly shaded position.
Correa pulchella ‘Pink Mist’
We have planted two of these mall shrubs, 75cm x 75cm, with dark green elliptical leaves and plenty of pink bell flowers in 2015 and 2018. Correa pulchella is from southern Yorke Peninsula, SA.
Correa pulchella ‘Pixie Cups’
We planted five of these shrubs, 1m high and wide, with pristine white flowers set well against the dark green foliage, in 2021-22. This plant is a vigorous grower which flowers in the winter months and likes an open position in well drained soils.
Correa reflexa ‘Gwen’ (photos below, two left)
We have planted three of these small open shrubs, 1m x 1m, with light green leaves and pinkish cream bell flowers, in March 2017. They are hardy plants in well-drained soil in full or filtered sun.
Correa reflexa x decumbens ‘Redex’ (photos above, two right)
We have planted thirty of these narrow shrubs, 1m high x 0.8m wide, with small shiny crinkled leaves and red and yellow bird attracting flowers, from 2004-21. This cultivar arose in Kangaroo Island SA, and is thought to be a natural hybrid of Correa reflexa and C. decumbens. We have lost come over the years, but this plant is very floriferous and frost resistant and remains a favourite in our garden.
Correa ‘Ring A Ding Ding’ (photo below left)
We planted eight of these compact shrubs, height 50cm x width 60cm, with glossy green foliage and many bright orange bell flowers, in August 2016. Two were run over by an ambulance in February 2024 and died.
Correa ‘Ros’ (photo above right)
This plant appeared in our garden about two years ago, in 2018. We certainly did not plant it, and it is not like anything else we have in the garden. It could be a hybrid, or it could have travelled into our garden on another plant. Anyone recognise this plant? This plant forms a small shrub with pale pink bells. We are planting ten plants grown from cuttings in the garden in 2021.
Correa ‘Snowbelle’
We planted two of these spreading shrubs, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with dainty white flowers over a long period, in April 2020.
Correa sp. hybrid (lemon) (photos below, two left)
We planted five of these prostrate shrubs, 0.2-0.5m high x 0.5- 1m wide, with dark green leaves and short wide creamy lemon flowers in October 2018. We have three remaining as two died in the heat of January 2020. These flower generously over a long period.
Correa ‘Summer Belle’ (photos above, two right)
We have planted five of these spreading shrubs, 1m high x 1.5m wide, with shiny dark green leaves and pink flowers with green tips. This plant arose as a garden seedling from Neil Marriott of Stawell in Victoria.
Correa ‘Tucker Time Dinner Bells’
We have planted six of this Correa glabra x decumbens cross, which forms a dense mounding shrub, 1.2m high x 1.2m wide, with glossy dark green foliage and a profusion of cream tipped red bells in 2007, 2008 and 2023. The nectar rich tubular flowers are highly attractive to honeyeaters and other small birds will feed on visiting insects. This plant grows in full sun or light shade, suits a wide variety of soils, withstands frosts, and is drought tolerant. Tip prune if required. Most of our plants met an untimely end, but we have two remaining.
Correa ‘Warrandyte Wonder’ (photos above)
We planted this small shrub, 0.5m high x 1-2m wide, with velvet pink flowers from March to August, at the end of 2022. We grow this plant in part shade to full sun in well drained soil and cover it with wire basket for six months to combat the two ‘attack’hares that inhabit our garden. The flowers are a beautiful colour.
Correa ‘White Lies’
We planted this dense shrub, 0.4m high x 2m wide, with oval leaves and pure white bells, in November 2016.
Correa ‘White Tips’
We planted eight of these cultivars from 2008-16, 65cm high x 60cm wide, with bicolour pink and white flowers. They were selected by Keith Pitman from a group of Correa pulchella growing in Sandy Creek area of SA.
Correa ‘Windsong’
We planted two of these Correa reflexa hybrids, 30cm high x 2m wide, a mounding groundcover with greyish foliage and pastel pink and white flowers, in July 2021. Unfortunately one plant drowned in the rain in October 2022.
Correa ‘Win’s Wonder’ (photos above)
We planted two Correa ‘Win’s Wonder’ , 1.5m high x 1.2m wide, with green and cream variegated leaves which contrast well with the bright red flowers., in November 2016. One plant died in the heat, but the other survives.
