Built tough for harsh Australian garden conditions
Correa White, Coastal Correa
Correa alba, commonly known as white correa or cape barren tea, is a shrub native to Australia. It is a member of the Rutaceae family and is recognized for its attractive, bell-shaped flowers and leathery, rounded leaves. Here’s a little more about it:
- Appearance: The shrub typically grows up to 1.5 meters tall, with small, round leaves that are green on top and a velvety whitish underside. Its flowers are tubular or bell-shaped, usually white to pale pink, and appear from autumn to spring.
- Habitat: Correa alba thrives in coastal areas, often in sandy soils, making it resistant to salt spray and wind. It’s commonly found in coastal heathlands and rocky areas across southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
- Cultivation: Correa White is popular in gardens due to its hardiness and ability to attract birds. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and can be pruned to maintain a compact shape.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Correa alba |
| Common Name | White Correa |
| Plant Type | Native shrub |
| Height | Approx. 1–2m |
| Width | Approx. 1–2m |
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Flowering Period | Autumn to spring |
| Foliage | Grey-green |
| Uses | Coastal gardens, screening, native gardens, hedging |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Water Needs | Low once established |
| Melbourne Suitability | Excellent |
Correa, Soft silver foliage with masses of white flowers
Correa alba is one of Australia’s toughest and most reliable native shrubs, combining soft silvery foliage with masses of delicate white flowers across the cooler months. Perfect for Melbourne conditions, it handles coastal exposure, dry periods and pruning with ease while bringing year-round structure and native beauty to the garden.
