Correa

( KOR - ree - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Correa is a genus of understory shrubs native to Australia, and although it resembles Fuchsia in flower shape (and is commonly called Australian Fuchsia for this reason) it differs from Fuchsia in many ways. Dark green leaves are densely felted underneath, and small flowers hang from branches like bells. This is not a showy genus of shrub, but is handsome when admired from a close-up perspective. Use these shrubs to cover eyesores in the garden, in mixed beds and borders, in water-wise areas of the landscape, or along fence lines to add greenery and interest.

Correa Species and Varietals

The genus Correa includes 11 species and is a member of the family Rutaceae. It was first formally described by Henry Cranke Andrews in 1798 in The Botanist's Repository for New, and Rare Plants. The genus was named after Portuguese botanist Jose Correia de Serra (Abbe Correa). Australian Fuchsia grows best in zones 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Correa aemula (Hairy Correa)
These shrubs are endemic to southeastern Australia, and have broadly heart-shaped foliage that is green to grey-green. Flowers are mauve-purple. Forms an erect to spreading shrub to 8 feet tall. Best in rocky or sandy soils.

Correa alba (White Correa)
Gets 8 feet tall and wide, with rusty-haired stems and dark green leaves. Flowers are white and more open than those of other species. Variety 'Western Pink Star' gets 3-4 feet tall and wide and has pale pink flowers.

Correa backhouseana
Upright grower to 4-5 feet tall and wide. Has pale cream or yellow/chartreuse flowers. Often sold in nurseries as Correa magnifica. These shrubs have a handsome, rounded habit to them and dark green glossy foliage. Young branches are covered in rusty hairs. Hardy to 23 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Correa baeuerlenii (Chef's-Hat Correa, Chef's Cap Correa)
This species forms a rounded, dense shrub to 8 feet tall, with rust-colored hairy stems. The species is endemic to New South Wales, Australia, and produces greenish-yellow flowers. Great for growing in containers and when harvested for floral arrangements. Needs some shade to thrive.

Correa decumbens (Spreading Correa)
Endemic to South Australia, this species forms a prostrate shrub with narrow, elliptical green leaves. Flowers are pink to red with green lobes. The species reaches up to 3 feet tall. Good for use as a groundcover in low water-use 

Correa lawrenceana (Mountain Correa)
This species is endemic to Australia, and produces a shrub to small tree. Leaves are green and elliptical, and flowers are light green to reddish. These plants can reach up to 29 feet tall when mature (as much as 50 feet tall), and have branchlets that are covered in rust-colored hairs. This species is great in mountainous regions
Correa pulchella
This species of Correa gets to 2.5 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Leaves are green on top, grey-green underneath. Flower color ranges from light pink to reddish-orange. This is the most popular species of Correa grown in Northern California.
'Mission Bells'
'Orange Flame'
'Pink Eyre'
'Pink Flamingo'

Correa reflexa (Common Correa)
This species takes many forms, ranging from 1 to 9 feet tall and 3 to 9 feet wide. Flowers are tubular and vary in color depending on the variety. Varieties include 'Cape Carpet' (1 foot tall, 8-10 feet wide; flowers are bright red with chartreuse tips), 'Carpenter Rocks' (3-4 feet tall and wide' pictured), 'Yanakie' (4 feet tall and wide, with large red flowers tipped in cream or green).

Caring for and pruning Correa shrubs

Plant Correa shrubs in partial to full shade (they do great in understorey locations), either in ground or in a container. They enjoy regular water, and are considered easy-care plantings. Give these shrubs a twice yearly feedings in fall and spring with a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer. They are happiest in loamy soil with a pH of 5.6, and need good drainage to perform well. After the main flowering period has passed, before new growth occurs in spring, prune these shrubs to remove dead or damaged branches, and trim as necessary to remove spent flower heads to encourage reblooms.

Propagation

Correa is best propagated by using cuttings. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Correa by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Ensure that you make your top cut right above a node, and your bottom cut just below the next node down. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

Correa plants suffer from the following pests and diseases in home gardens:
  • Yellow Edges
  • Dark Blotch
  • Leaf Yellowing
  • Leaf Tip Withering
For more information on these issues, including how to treat them, visit the following pages:
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Gallery

Correa alba 'Western Pink Star
Correa reflexa 'Yanakie' with its dual-colored flowers
Correa pulchella, lighting up a mixed bed with its beautiful flowers.
When in bloom, Correa shrubs produce profuse shows of bell-shaped flowers that dangle from branches.
Grow Correa either in the ground or in pots.
Correa is best when planted amongst other plants that have similar water needs.

Videos

All about Correa reflexa.
An informational video about Correa pulchella.
How to Propagate Correa shrubs

Resources

Propagate Correa
Wikipedia: Correa (plant)
Correa Growing Guide
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 264, Correa
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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