League of Extraordinary Shrubbery
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Correa ‘Carmine Bells’ and Westringia ‘Smokey’ make a terrific team in the landscape. They have a
similar low, dense spreading habit and both thrive in the same challenging variety of conditions. They are
excellent shrubs for coastal areas, windy hillsides, and dry light shade under oaks. They are very neat in
appearance, tolerate poor rocky soil, require little maintenance, and are not bothered much by pests,
diseases or deer. They are tough and drought resistant when well established. Their natural form is
dense and symmetrical, but they can both be sheared. Westringia is sometimes called Coast Rosemary.
The flowers and leaves are similar to Rosemary, although they are not related. Westringia is softer and
fuzzier. Westringia is native to Australia where is grows on the cliffs right down to the beach. The
cultivar ‘Smokey’ has small rounded gray leaves with white margins and white flowers, giving it a softly
glowing appearance. Correa ‘Carmine Bells’ has dark olive-green leaves for a wonderful contrast. Its
bell-like red flowers appear in late fall and winter, providing nectar for hummingbirds in a lean season.
Westringia ‘Smokey’ grows to 2’-4’ tall and 4’-5’ wide. Correa ‘Carmine Bells’ grows to 2’ tall and 8’ wide.
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