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Hovea spp.

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Hovea spp. is a genus of about forty shrubs in the pea family, Fabaceae, endemic to Australia, where they grow in open forest, woodland, and heath across most states. Most species are slender, upright to spreading shrubs 1.5-8 feet (0.5-2.5 m) tall, with simple alternate leaves that range from narrow and linear to broad and oval depending on species. Through late winter and spring the stems carry clusters of pea-shaped flowers in purple, violet, and blue, occasionally with a white or yellow centre, set close along the branches in the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by short, inflated, hairy pods holding one or two hard-coated seeds. As legumes, Hovea spp. species fix nitrogen through root nodules and often grow on poor, sandy soils. Many depend on fire or heat to break seed dormancy, and plants can be short-lived, regenerating from seed after disturbance. The genus is sensitive to wet, heavy soils and humidity, and most species are tender to hard frost. Several are grown for the dense purple spring flowering.

Native Range

Endemic to Australia, in open forest, woodland, and heath across the south-west, eastern states, and northern regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native, low-water, and wildlife gardens in Australia and similar climates, and on sandy banks for quick spring colour. The purple flowering suits informal shrub borders and heath plantings. Some species are used to revegetate disturbed sandy ground.

How to Identify

Recognised as slender Australian shrubs with simple alternate leaves, narrow to oval, and clusters of purple to blue pea flowers set tight along the stems in late winter and spring. Short, swollen, hairy pods follow, each with one or two seeds. The pea-shaped flowers and simple, not compound, leaves separate Hovea spp. from many related Australian legumes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 8'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Winter Spring

Most Hovea spp. species flower in late winter and spring, roughly July to October in Australia. Purple to blue pea flowers cluster along the stems for several weeks. Flowering is followed by short inflated pods that ripen in late spring and early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purple, violet, blue

Foliage Description

Green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 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 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most Hovea spp. species grow in full sun to light shade on free-draining sandy or gravelly soils low in phosphorus. Sharp drainage is needed, as the genus is prone to root rot in heavy or wet ground. Plants tolerate dry spells once established and suit warm-temperate to subtropical climates, with limited hardiness to frost. Low-phosphorus native fertiliser is used, since high phosphorus harms many Australian legumes. Watering is moderate while young and sparing once established. Seed germinates after heat or smoke treatment that mimics fire.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants bushy and removes spent pods. Hard pruning into old bare wood is poorly tolerated and can kill the plant. Only the current and previous season growth should be cut back.