Coral Pea, Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla, Vine Lilac
Hardenbergia violacea

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Prostrate.

Hardenbergia violacea is an evergreen Climber growing to 2 m (6ft 7in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Climbs over low bushes by the coast and to nearby mountains in open forests and on heaths.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The boiled leaves produce a slightly sweet and reasonably pleasant drink. At one time the roots were also reportedly used for this purpose.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

A grey-blue dye is obtained from the flowers.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Container, Specimen. Requires a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or light shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures that occasionally fall to about -5°c. It succeeds on a wall in Cornwall, mixing well with Passiflora species through which it intertwines. Plants from the Tablelands in Australia tolerate at least -7°c in Australian gardens. This cannot be translated directly to British gardens, however, due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. Any pruning is best carried out immediately after the plant has flowered. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Scarify the seed or pre-soak it for 24 hours in warm water. Sow spring in a warm greenhouse at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least its first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Tip cuttings, taken in late spring, in moist sand in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. monophylla. Kennedya monophylla. K. ovata.