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Dillwynia spp.

egg and bacon peas

Fabaceae Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Dillwynia spp. is a genus of about 50 species of small evergreen shrubs in the pea family, endemic to Australia. Most species grow 0.3-2 m (1-6.5 ft) tall with a wiry, upright to spreading habit and crowded, narrow, often terete (cylindrical) leaves 3-15 mm (0.1-0.6 in) long. The pea-shaped flowers are yellow to orange with red markings, the colour pairing that gives the common name egg and bacon peas; they are carried singly or in short clusters near the branch tips. Flowering is followed by small inflated pods 4-8 mm (0.2-0.3 in) long holding one or two seeds. Species occur in heathland, dry sclerophyll woodland, and coastal scrub across eastern and southern Australia, usually on nutrient-poor sandy or rocky soils. Like many Australian legumes, the roots host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The genus is sensitive to humid summers, root disturbance, and poorly drained soil, which limits its use outside open, free-draining sites. Species such as D. retorta and D. juniperina are grown in native gardens.

Native Range

Dillwynia spp. is endemic to Australia, occurring across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Species are most diverse in the heathlands and sclerophyll woodlands of the temperate south and east.

Suggested Uses

Dillwynia spp. is planted in native and water-wise gardens, on embankments, and in mixed shrub borders on free-draining soil. The low species suit rockeries and container culture, while taller forms fill informal screens. The winter and spring flowers support native bees and other insects.

How to Identify

Identify Dillwynia spp. by its small, crowded, often cylindrical leaves and yellow-and-red pea flowers borne near the shoot tips. The keel petal is shorter than the wings, and the standard petal is broad and notched. The short, inflated two-seeded pods and the heath-like habit separate it from related pea genera such as Pultenaea spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'6"

Width/Spread1' - 5'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Most species flower in winter and spring, roughly July-November in their native range, with peak bloom in early spring. The massed yellow and red flowers persist for several weeks. Some species carry a lighter second flush after rain.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow with red markings

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Dillwynia spp. grows in full sun to light shade on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils that are low in phosphorus. Established plants tolerate drought and short dry spells but decline in heavy, wet, or fertile soil. A soil pH of about 5.0-6.5 suits the genus, and phosphorus-rich fertiliser damages the roots. Plants are frost-hardy in temperate zones but struggle in humid subtropical summers. Light watering through the first season aids establishment, after which little is needed. Lifespan is often short, around 5-10 years.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages branching. Cutting into old leafless wood is unproductive, as the shrubs reshoot poorly from bare stems. Spent flower clusters need no removal.