Pigea spp.
pigea
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Pigea spp. is a genus of small herbs and subshrubs in the violet family Violaceae, native to Australia, segregated from the broadly defined genus Hybanthus spp.. Plants are slender, upright to spreading, generally 6-32 inches (15-80 cm) tall, with simple, narrow to oval leaves arranged alternately or oppositely along wiry stems. The flowers follow the unequal pattern seen across the family: four small upper and lateral petals and one much larger lower petal that forms a broad lip, usually in shades of white, mauve, or purple, sometimes with darker veining toward the center. Flowers are borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils. Flowering occurs mainly in spring, after which three-valved capsules split to scatter the seeds. Pigea spp. grows in heath, open woodland, grassland, and rocky ground across much of Australia, on sandy to loamy soils with free drainage. The genus is little known in cultivation, and its slender structure and modest flowers mean it is grown chiefly in native and habitat plantings rather than as a border subject.
Native Range
Pigea spp. is endemic to Australia, occurring across many states in heath, woodland, grassland, and rocky habitats. It grows on sandy to loamy, freely draining soils.Suggested Uses
Used in Australian native and habitat gardens, rockeries, and low plantings on freely draining soils. Suited to wildlife plantings for small native pollinators.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'8"
Width/Spread6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering is concentrated in spring, with smaller flushes possible after rain in other seasons. Individual flowers are short-lived, but plants bloom over several weeks. Dry three-valved capsules follow and split to eject the seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to mauve or purpleFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Pigea spp. in full sun to light shade on light, freely draining sandy or loamy soil that matches its open Australian habitats. Water to establish, after which most species tolerate seasonal dryness and resent prolonged wet, especially in winter. Sharp drainage and low to moderate fertility suit the genus, while heavy, wet soils shorten its life. Plants are raised from seed or cuttings and used in native gardens where conditions mimic the wild. Little feeding is needed, and a light mulch of gravel or leaf litter conserves moisture. Frost tolerance varies, with most species suited to mild, frost-free to lightly frosted climates.Pruning
Light trimming after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages branching. Spent stems and capsules can be cut back to tidy growth. No heavy pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons