Swainsona lessertiifolia
coast Swainson-pea
Overview
Swainsona lessertiifolia is a low-growing perennial legume with trailing to sprawling stems that spread 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) across and rise only 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) high. The pinnate leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, divided into many small grey-green leaflets. Pea-shaped flowers about 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) long are carried in upright clusters above the foliage, ranging from purple and mauve to pink and occasionally red. Flowering runs through spring and early summer and is followed by inflated, papery pods 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) long that hold several seeds. The plant grows from a deep rootstock and tolerates salt-laden wind, sand, and dry summers, dying back somewhat in drought and reshooting after rain. It grows on coastal dunes, cliff tops, and nearby plains across southern Australia. Several Swainsona spp. species accumulate the alkaloid swainsonine, which is poisonous to grazing livestock. The sprawling habit gives open ground cover but can look sparse and untidy outside the main flowering period.
Native Range
Swainsona lessertiifolia is native to coastal southern Australia, including South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and southern Western Australia. It grows on dunes, limestone cliffs, and sandy plains close to the sea.Suggested Uses
Swainsona lessertiifolia is used as a sprawling ground cover and in coastal and dune revegetation across southern Australia. It suits low-water native gardens, rockeries, and bank plantings where its trailing stems can spread over open ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, roughly September to December in southern Australia. Purple to pink pea flowers are held in upright clusters above the trailing foliage. Inflated papery pods develop after flowering and dry as the seed ripens.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
purple to pinkFoliage Description
grey-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
Swainsona lessertiifolia grows in full sun on free-draining sandy or limestone soils and tolerates coastal salt spray, wind, and extended dry periods once established. It is grown from seed, which germinates more readily after scarification, and forms a deep rootstock in its first year. Plants need little water once established and can rot in heavy, poorly drained soils. It withstands light frost in USDA zones 9-10. Growth slows in dry summers, with the foliage reshooting after autumn rain. Cutting back leggy stems in late winter keeps the plant compact.Pruning
Trimming straggly stems after flowering or in late winter keeps growth dense and tidy. Plants reshoot from the base after cutting back. Removing developing pods extends the flowering period by redirecting energy from seed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterlate spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons