Dillwynia floribunda
parrot pea
Overview
Dillwynia floribunda is an evergreen shrub in the pea family, growing 3-6 feet (1-2 m) tall and 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) wide with an erect, sometimes open framework of wiry stems. The leaves are narrow and almost cylindrical, 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, crowded along the stems and often twisted. In late winter and spring the branch tips carry dense clusters of small pea-shaped flowers, each about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across, yellow with red to orange markings on the upper petal; the species name floribunda refers to this heavy flowering. Flat pods follow and split to release seed. D. floribunda grows in heath and dry sclerophyll woodland in eastern Australia, on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils low in nutrients. Plants are relatively short-lived, often five to eight years, and need sharp drainage and low-phosphorus conditions like those of the native habitat. Growth slows in heavy or wet soils, where root rot becomes a risk.
Native Range
Dillwynia floribunda is native to eastern Australia, occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It grows in heath and dry sclerophyll woodland on sandy, well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
D. floribunda is grown in native, heath, and low-water gardens, and on embankments with sharp drainage, spaced 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) apart. It also suits informal mixed shrub plantings with other phosphorus-sensitive Australian species.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with red to orange markingsFoliage Description
mid to dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-8 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
D. floribunda grows in full sun to light shade in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soils. Watering through the first one to two growing seasons supports establishment, after which plants tolerate dry spells. It is sensitive to high phosphorus, so a low-phosphorus or native-plant fertiliser suits it. Heavy, wet soils raise the risk of root rot. Plants are relatively short-lived at around five to eight years and may be replaced as they decline. Light frost is tolerated in USDA zones 9-10.Pruning
Light tip-pruning after flowering keeps the shrub compact and encourages branching. D. floribunda does not regenerate well from hard pruning into bare wood, which can kill stems. Removing spent flowering shoots maintains a denser form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons