Salmon correa

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hot inland gardens.

Water

Water regularly during establishment, then deeply during prolonged dry spells. Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings; avoid constantly wet roots.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gravelly or loamy soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Improve drainage or use a raised bed where soil is heavy.

Height

1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m)

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Flowers

Mainly autumn through spring, with timing varying by climate and selection; hanging tubular flowers are salmon-pink to coral, sometimes paler pink.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, opposite, oval green leaves with paler, softly hairy undersides.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.7 ft (0.52 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.8 ft (0.54 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.8 ft (0.56 m)

5. After 5 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root collar at soil level and keep the surrounding soil well drained.
• Water through the first growing season; once established, supplement rainfall during extended drought.
• Apply a thin organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring only if needed, using a low-phosphorus fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants.
• In colder climates, grow in a pot and move it to a bright, cool, frost-free place for winter.

Pruning. Lightly trim after the main flowering period, usually in spring, to keep the shrub dense. Shorten leafy shoots rather than cutting hard into old, bare wood.

Spring

After the main flowering flush, lightly prune straggly shoots and remove dead or damaged growth.

Spring

Plant after hard frosts have passed in cooler districts; refresh mulch and feed lightly if growth is weak.

Summer

Check soil moisture during dry weather, especially in pots, but let the surface dry between waterings.

Early autumn

Plant in mild-winter districts so roots can establish before summer heat.

Late autumn

Move container plants under cover before damaging frosts and reduce watering as growth slows.

Winter

Enjoy the flowers and check that outdoor plants are not sitting in saturated soil.

• Plant along a sheltered path where the hanging flowers can be seen close up.
• Use beneath an open tree canopy with other shrubs that tolerate light shade and dry spells.
• Combine with grey-leaved shrubs and fine-textured grasses in a well-drained coastal or gravel garden.
• Grow in a container on a sheltered patio, allowing winter protection where needed.
• Repeat plants as a low, informal edging rather than a tightly clipped hedge.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Coastal, Mediterranean, Dry gravel garden, Wildlife garden and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Coastal rosemary, Lomandra, Kangaroo paw, Lavender, Rock rose and Blue fescue.

Wildlife: The nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters in Australia and may attract hummingbirds where grown in North America. The evergreen branches provide low shelter for small garden animals.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage, keep mulch away from the crown and avoid frequent watering of established plants.
• Frost damage: choose a sheltered position, cover during occasional cold snaps or overwinter pots frost-free.
• Scale insects: inspect stems and leaf undersides; treat small infestations with a labelled horticultural oil, avoiding hot weather.
• Sparse, leggy growth: provide more light if heavily shaded and trim lightly after flowering.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific safety information is limited. No part is regarded as food; discourage pets and children from eating it.

• Common correa (Correa reflexa)

  Often has red tubular flowers with conspicuous green tips and more pointed leaves; salmon correa usually has rounder leaves and more uniformly salmon-pink flowers.

• White correa (Correa alba)

  Has open, star-shaped white flowers rather than long salmon-pink tubes, and usually greyer foliage.

Correa honours Portuguese botanist José Correia da Serra, while pulchella means 'pretty' or 'little and beautiful', and salmon refers to the flower colour.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots in late summer or early autumn and root them in a free-draining medium under cover. Seed germination can be slow and unreliable, and seedlings may differ from the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Correa pulchella

Native range

South Australia.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.