Other Names:  Red Australian Fuchsia

Description:

Dense, velvety gray-green leaves cover this low evergreen shrub; when massed it is a good groundcover; rosy-pink bell shaped flowers emerge in late winter and dangle at the end of the branches; drought tolerant once established

Ornamental Features

Dusky Bells Correa has rose bell-shaped flowers hanging below the branches from late winter to early spring, which are interesting on close inspection. It has grayish green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The oval leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dusky Bells Correa is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dusky Bells Correa is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Dusky Bells Correa will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.