shrub

Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa

Correa backhouseana

The Story

Plant Bio

Correa backhouseana, known as coast correa, is a spreading, rounded evergreen shrub native to the coastal dunes and limestone cliffs of southern Australia. It reaches a height and width of one and a half to two metres, featuring leathery, oval leaves with glossy dark green upper surfaces and dense, felted grey-white undersides.

The species is distinguished by its nodding, tubular flowers in shades of cream, pale green, or yellow that open from autumn through to late spring. These heavy-nectared blooms provide a critical winter food source for honeyeaters and native bees while withstanding harsh, salt-laden maritime winds with ease.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structure with its dense, glossy foliage and soft grey-white leaf undersides, complemented by nodding cream flowers from autumn to spring.

Acts as an exceptional windbreak and soil stabiliser in exposed coastal gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds and alkaline soils.

Serves as a vital winter nectar source for native honeyeaters and bees, while offering dense physical shelter for small birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

78 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Medium

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Southern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Autumn – Spring

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun or light afternoon shade with exceptionally well-drained, sandy or loamy soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits at the same level as it did in the pot.
Backfill with native soil, firm down gently, and water in thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent collar rot.
Water weekly during the first summer until established, then rely on natural rainfall except during prolonged dry spells.

Pro Tip

Plant in highly permeable, sandy or limestone-derived soil, as prolonged summer waterlogging triggers root rot; avoid hard pruning into bare, old wood because this species lacks dormant epicormic buds to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly free-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Trim lightly after flowering finishes in spring to maintain a dense, rounded habit.
Protect from harsh afternoon sun in hot, arid inland climates.
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser if growth appears sluggish.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood as the plant will fail to shoot.
Do not overwater during summer or plant in heavy clay soils.
Do not apply standard high-phosphorus fertilisers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal windbreaksLow informal hedgingNative understory plantingsRock gardensBird-attracting gardens

Companion Plants

Leucophyta brownii Westringia fruticosa Rhagodia candolleana Allocasuarina verticillata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa questions

What zones can Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa grow in?

Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa bloom?

Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa 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 Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa need full sun?

Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Coast Correa, Coastal Correa, Tasmanian Fuchsia, Velvet Correa drought tolerant?

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