Daviesia ulicifolia
gorse bitter pea
Overview
Daviesia ulicifolia, the gorse bitter pea, is a rigid, prickly evergreen shrub in the family Fabaceae reaching 2-6 feet (0.6-2 m) tall and 3-6 feet (1-2 m) wide, with stiff interlocking branches. Its leaves are reduced to small, hard, sharply spine-tipped phyllodes 0.2-0.8 inch (5-20 mm) long that deter browsing and give the shrub a gorse-like look. From late winter into spring the branches carry many small pea flowers, each about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long, in yellow to orange with a red or brown centre. Flattened triangular pods follow and split to release hard seeds. The species is widespread across southern and eastern Australia, growing in dry forest, woodland, mallee, and heath on a range of sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Roots fix nitrogen through soil bacteria, supporting growth on poor ground. The dense, spiny framework gives shelter to small birds, though the rigid spines make the shrub awkward to handle and to place near paths. It is variable, with several regional forms differing in size and spine length.
Native Range
Daviesia ulicifolia is native to southern and eastern Australia, occurring in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, mallee, and heath on sandy to clay soils, often on rocky ridges.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and habitat gardens as a barrier or refuge shrub for small birds, and used in revegetation of dry, poor soils. Suited to informal screens and boundaries where its spines deter passage. Spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart in screen plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow-orange with red markingsFoliage Description
grey-green, spine-tippedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade on freely draining sandy, loamy, or rocky soils across a wide pH range. Established plants are drought tolerant and need watering only in extended dry spells. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers damage the nitrogen-fixing roots typical of the pea family, so feeding is limited to low-phosphorus native blends. Wet, heavy soils cause root rot, making drainage the main requirement. The spiny framework needs room, as the rigid branches are hard to work around once established. Plants resprout from the base in some forms after damage or fire.Pruning
Light tip pruning after flowering keeps the shrub dense and shapely. Cutting into the rigid older wood is tolerated unevenly and may not reshoot, so trimming is kept to younger growth. The sharp spines make pruning slow without thornproof gloves.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring