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Hardenbergia spp.
happy wanderer
Overview
Hardenbergia spp. is a small genus of three species of evergreen, twining climbers and scramblers in the pea family (Fabaceae), endemic to Australia. The wiry stems climb 6–20 ft (1.8–6 m) where supported, or trail as a groundcover where not, bearing leathery, deep green leaves that are single in H. violacea and divided into three to five leaflets in H. comptoniana. From late winter into spring the plants carry long, dangling sprays of small pea flowers about 0.4 in (10 mm) across, most often violet to purple with a yellow-green spot, though pink and white forms also occur. Flat papery pods follow, holding several hard seeds. As nitrogen-fixing legumes, the plants grow on poor soils and are quick to cover a fence or trellis. They grow in open forest, woodland, and heath across much of Australia, and H. violacea, the purple coral pea or happy wanderer, is widely grown as a hardy climber. Plants are moderately frost-hardy once established.
Native Range
Endemic to Australia, occurring in all mainland states and Tasmania, where the species grow in open eucalypt forest, woodland, heath, and coastal scrub on a range of soils.Suggested Uses
Grown on trellises, fences, pergolas, and posts as a quick evergreen climber, and as a groundcover or bank cover where left unsupported. The winter-to-spring purple flowers suit native, cottage, and low-water gardens. Lower forms work in large containers trained on a frame.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread3' - 10'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from late winter into spring, around July to October in the native range, when long sprays of purple pea flowers hang along the stems. Plants flower heavily over several weeks and open their main display before many other plants. Flat seed pods ripen through late spring and summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Violet to purple, sometimes pink or whiteFoliage Description
Deep greenGrowing 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
Plants grow in full sun to part shade in free-draining soils, from sand to clay, tolerating poor fertility and short dry spells once established. Moderate watering supports establishment, after which plants are fairly drought-tolerant. Most are hardy to light frost, with H. violacea tolerating frost better than the others. As legumes they need little fertiliser, and high-phosphorus feeds can damage them. A framework or support brings out the climbing habit, while unsupported plants sprawl as groundcover. Plants are grown from scarified seed and respond to a trim after flowering to stay dense.Pruning
A trim after flowering keeps plants dense and within their support and removes spent flower sprays. Older or tangled plants can be cut back hard in spring to renew growth. Light shaping through the year keeps climbers tidy on a trellis or fence.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons