shrub

Rock Correa

The Story

Plant Bio

Correa glabra, the rock correa, is an evergreen Australian shrub reaching three to nine feet in height, featuring aromatic, leathery green leaves that release a sweet lemon scent when crushed. The nodding, tubular flowers range from pale green to cream or soft red, displaying prominent stamens that extend far past the mouth of each bell.

This species is distinguished by its smooth, papery to leathery foliage and cup-shaped calyxes that resemble a chef's cap. It is highly drought-tolerant once established, thriving in rocky or gravelly soils where drainage is rapid.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers winter interest with its unique, bell-shaped flowers and provides aromatic, lemon-scented foliage year-round.

Serves as an excellent low-water, drought-tolerant shrub for rocky slopes and difficult coastal soils.

Attracts and supports hummingbirds in North America with its nectar-rich, tubular blooms.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

106"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Autumn – Winter

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with sharp drainage, such as a raised bed, rocky slope, or sandy loam under a dappled tree canopy.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level to prevent stem rot.
Backfill with native soil without adding heavy organic amendments or high-phosphorus fertilizers.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then establish a strict drying cycle between waterings to protect the sensitive root system.

Pro Tip

Restrict pruning to the leafy green tips immediately after the winter flowering flush; cutting back hard into old, leafless wood prevents the shrub from regenerating new shoots.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly permeable, well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
Apply a low-phosphorus, native-formulated fertilizer sparingly in spring.
Tip-prune lightly after the main flowering flush to maintain a dense, compact habit.

Don't

Do not overwater or allow the soil to remain waterlogged.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless woody stems.
Do not apply heavy artificial phosphorus fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensDrought-tolerant bordersUnderstory plantingsHummingbird gardensCoastal gardens

Companion Plants

Salvia Westringia Grevillea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Rock Correa questions

What zones can Rock Correa grow in?

Rock Correa 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.

Is Rock Correa deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Rock Correa, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Rock Correa bloom?

Rock Correa typically blooms in autumn through winter. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Rock Correa need full sun?

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

Is Rock Correa drought tolerant?

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