Plant in full sun to partial shade in a well-drained soil. Cold hardy to temperatures down to 20-22 °F. It tolerates both alkaline soil and wind and salty coastal conditions. An interesting, durable and attractive shrub that should be planted more often.

Coral Bush comes from areas with limestone soils and is generally tolerant of higher pH soils than many Australian plants and it also is resistant to salt spray near the beach. Prune or shear lightly after flowering to promote a more compact growth habit. An attractive and hardy plant in the California Garden. It is found growing naturally in coastal woodlands in South Australia and Western Australia. The name for the genus honors John Templeton (1766–1825), who is often referred to as the "Father of Irish Botany". The specific epithet is from the Latin word 'retusus' which means "dull" or "blunt" in reference to the blunt and often notched tips of the leaves. Other common names include "Cockies Tongues" and "Cocky's Tongues" though this reference is lost on us. Cocky was a somewhat derogatory slang name for a farmer that was an abbreviation of "cockatoo farmer". We first saw this plant growing at < href=https://www.seaside-gardens.com target="_blank">Seaside Gardens in Carpinteria, California in the the Australian plant garden at this nursery that was designed and installed by Jo O'Connell of < href=https://www.australianplants.com target="_blank">Australian Native Plant Nursery. 

The information about Templetonia retusa displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.