Hardenbergia violacea
| Hardenbergia violacea | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Hardenbergia violacea (common name: coral pea)
Propagation: Scarify the seed or pre-soak it for 24 hours in warm water[1][2]. Sow spring in a warm greenhouse at 20°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least its first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Tip cuttings, taken in late spring, in moist sand in a frame[2].
Cultivation: Requires a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or light shade[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures that occasionally fall to about -5°c[3]. It succeeds on a wall in Cornwall, mixing well with Passiflora species through which it intertwines[4][5]. Plants from the Tablelands in Australia tolerate at least -7°c in Australian gardens[1]. This cannot be translated directly to British gardens, however, due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters[K].
Any pruning is best carried out immediately after the plant has flowered[6].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat: Climbs over low bushes by the coast and to nearby mountains[4] in open forests and on heaths[7].
Edibility: The boiled leaves produce a slightly sweet and reasonably pleasant drink[8][9]. At one time the roots were also reportedly used for this purpose[9].
Usage: A grey-blue dye is obtained from the flowers[10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: H. monophylla. Kennedya monophylla. K. ovata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.