How To Grow Correa alba

The White Correa

Correa alba with its star shaped flowers is a native to coastal NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and Southern Queensland is ideal for coastal plantings. This is a tough little shrub, it takes what we can throw at it and rewards us with its dainty flowers from winter to spring, and good foliage year round.

Most forms seem to have a pink or mauve tint to them, however they are still called the ‘White Correa’

Growing to about 1m, Correa alba forms a nice rounded mound, frost resistant, full sun to part shade and nice blue green foliage. Flowering in winter to spring although this is a dense growing native plant can put out flowers year round.

Useful as a specimen in the garden border, or planted as a low growing border plant or hedge. Regarded as drought tolerant once established

With its natural low growing nature along with dense foliage, this a correa species makes it well suited for use as a ground cover plant.

Position
Full sun to a little shade, it would naturally grow as an understory plant in very light shade.
Soil
A well drained soil is essential, it naturally grows in coastal sandy soils that are very free draining.
Pruning
Little pruning is required although some gardeners will pinch back new growth to help create a denser habit. Correa alba can be pruned to shape as well as to promote a bushy growth habit. Light pruning is best.
Fertiliser
Generally no extra fertiliser is required, a little slo release native plant fertiliser in spring may assist with growth in very poor soils.
Flowers
White star shaped flowers which are open until most Correa species. A pink flowering variety is also available.
Flowering Time
The main season for Correa alba flowering from autumn through to early spring, it will spot flower through most of the year.

Varieties

C. alba compacta – A dwarf form to around 40cm in height.
C. alba Prostrata – To around 30cm in height
C. alba Coastal Pink – pink flowers as the name suggests
C. alba var. pannosa is even lower growing species.

Landscaping Uses.

Use C. alba as a filler in the garden border, or try planting it as a low hedging plant, it can be pruned to keep it in shape. The lower growing varieties make good ground cover plants.

As a hedge, space C. alba at 1m apart for a good informal look.

Correa alba - Pink Form — Correa alba – Pink Form

Propagation

Propagation is from cuttings or layering.

Correa alba – Summary Information

Botanical Name – Correa alba
Common Names – The White Correa.
Height – To around 1.5 metres.
Spread – Will get to around 1.5 metre in width.
Soil – Humus rich well drained, however tolerant of sandy soils.
Position – Full sun.
Flowers – White, often tinged with lilac.
Flowering period – Winter to spring.
Foliage – Small and rounded mid to deep green with a silvery reverse.
Frost tolerant – Yes
Drought tolerant – yes.
Coastal conditions – Yes

You may also be interested in

Correa alba is available for sale from the following participating nurseries

WHITE HOUSE NURSERY - Jess Exiner & Peter Harris
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order
www.whitehousenursery.com.au

FERN ACRES NURSERY
1052 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road Kinglake West 3757
Offering a specialist variety of Australian native Ferns plus Dendrobium/Dockrillia & Sarcochilus species & hybrids in pots, loose, or mounted. Species Cymbidium sauve and maddidum.
www.ferns.com.au

The White Correa