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Pultenaea pedunculata

matted bush-pea

Fabaceae Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Pultenaea pedunculata is an evergreen prostrate shrub forming a dense mat 5-15 cm (2-6 in) tall and spreading 0.5-1.5 m (1.5-5 ft) wide, with trailing stems that root where they touch moist soil. The leaves are small, narrow to oblong, 4-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) long, crowded along the stems, dark green above and paler beneath. Pea-shaped flowers 8-12 mm (0.3-0.5 in) long are held on short stalks in spring, orange-yellow with reddish markings on the keel, often covering the mat. The fruit is a small pod containing hard seeds. Growth is moderate, and a single plant can cover 1 m (3 ft) within 2-3 years by layering stems. The species grows in heath, grassy woodland, and on rocky slopes on sandy and loamy soils. It tolerates light frost and short dry spells once established but declines in wet, poorly drained ground and dense shade. As a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, in heath, grassy woodland, and on rocky slopes on sandy and loamy soils from the coast to subalpine areas.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a groundcover over banks, between paving, and at the front of borders, spaced 0.5-1 m (1.5-3 ft) apart. The mat-forming habit binds soil on slopes and spills over rocks and walls. It grows in containers and hanging baskets of at least 20-25 cm (8-10 in).

How to Identify

Recognised as a mat-forming prostrate shrub with small crowded leaves 4-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) long and stalked orange-yellow pea flowers 8-12 mm (0.3-0.5 in) long with red keel markings, borne in spring. The prostrate rooting habit and stalked flowers separate it from upright Pultenaea spp. shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread1'6" - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

Flowers in spring, mainly September to November in southern Australia, with the mat often covered in bloom for 4-6 weeks. Flowering is heaviest in open, sunny positions and lighter in shade. Warm spring conditions advance the display.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange-yellow with red markings

Foliage Description

dark 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

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to light shade on free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water through the first season and in dry spells; established mats tolerate short dry periods but not prolonged drought. Wet, poorly drained soils and deep shade cause thinning and dieback. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and needs no nitrogen fertiliser. Trimming after flowering keeps the mat dense and tidy. Plants are moderately long-lived and renew by layering stems.

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering to keep the mat dense and remove leggy growth. The plant roots along trailing stems, so layered sections can be separated for propagation. It reshoots from semi-hard growth but recovers slowly from cutting into old bare stems.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer