Species

Correa pulchellaAustralian Fuchsia, Pink Australian Fuchsia

shrub

Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia

The Story

Plant Bio

Correa pulchella, commonly known as the native fuchsia, is a small Australian shrub native to coastal footslopes, hills, and plains of South Australia. The species is characterised by its opposite, simple green leaves and pendulous, tubular flowers that attract nectar-feeding birds throughout the cooler months.

'Autumn Blaze' is a low-spreading, prostrate cultivar selected from Kangaroo Island that forms a dense, horizontal mat up to 150 centimetres wide. It is distinguished by its profuse display of bright orange flowers tipped with pale pink, which bloom from autumn through to early spring.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, low-spreading carpet of glossy green foliage punctuated by bright orange, bell-shaped flowers through the cooler months.

Serves as an effective, low-maintenance groundcover for suppressing weeds and stabilizing soil on sloped sites.

The tubular flowers provide a valuable nectar source for native honeyeaters and bees during autumn and winter.

SpeciesCorrea pulchellaAustralian Fuchsia, Pink Australian Fuchsia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

12 inches

Width

59 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Unknown

Lifespan

Moderate

Native To

Australia (Kangaroo Island, South Australia)

Toxicity

Unknown

Bloom period

Autumn – Spring

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with exceptional drainage, modifying heavy soils with coarse sand or organic matter if necessary.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits level with the surrounding soil surface.
Water the plant in thoroughly to settle the soil, then apply a coarse mulch, keeping it clear of the main stem.
Irrigate sparingly once established, allowing the top few centimetres of soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Pro Tip

To prevent sudden collapse from Phytophthora root rot, plant in highly permeable soil and never prune hard into old, leafless wood where active nodes are absent.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly free-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Tip-prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring and autumn.
Provide protection from strong, direct coastal winds if planted on the frontline.

Don't

Do not over-water or allow the soil to become waterlogged.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate.
Do not use standard high-phosphorus fertilisers.
Do not plant in heavy, unmodified clay soils with poor internal drainage.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

GroundcoverRockeriesCoastal GardensEmbankmentsNative GardensCourtyards

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Grevillea lanigera Anigozanthos flavidus Poa labillardierei

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia questions

What zones can Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia grow in?

Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia bloom?

Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia typically blooms in autumn through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia need full sun?

Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Correa, Native Fuchsia, Australian Fuchsia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.