Scientific: Hardenbergia violacea
(Synonyms: Hardenbergia monophylla, Kennedya monophylla, Kennedya ovata)
Pronounciation: Har-den-BER-gee-a vee-o-LA-see-a
Common: purple coral pea, Australian lilac, Australian sarsparilla, and false
sarsaparilla
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Southeast Australia where it exists as a ground cover in rocky, shrubby habitat.
Hardiness zones
Sunset 8-24
USDA 9 (freeze protection) to 11
Landscape Use: Climbing accent, trellis on patios, house or walls.
Form & Character: A subtle vine plant of passion, twining, intricate, interesting, tough.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, perennial vine, moderate spreading to 50 feet, needs support to climb.
Foliage/Texture: Alternate, classic lanceolate leaf to 4-inches long with margins rounded at base.
Prominent mid-vein, medium green; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: "Strings" (racemes) of small violet
to mauve flowers, terminal; fruit turgid pod to 1.5-inches long.
Seasonal Color: A wonderful display of late winter/early spring flowers,
typically in later February in Phoenix.
Temperature: Freeze damage occurs if temperatures fall below 24oF.
Light: Partial light shade from western sun is best; will take full sun, but
one should be careful to avoid placing this cool vine in a highly reflective
radiation environment such as around lots full sun exposed concrete and asphalt.
Soil: Well drained, might need extra nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer
in Phoenix's alkaline soils.
Watering: Irrigate regularly, but allow soil to just dry between
irrigations.
Pruning: Severe renewal pruning to 1/2 or 1/3rd of size in April after
bloom if one needs to the spread of this vine, otherwise, none needed.
Propagation: Seed, needs acid scarification and soaking in water for 24 hours before
sowing because of the hard seed coat, germinate best at 70oF.
Disease and Pests: None, disease and pest free in Phoenix.
Additional comments: Purple coral pea is a dependable vine for Phoenix
landscapes in mesic or oasis landscape designs. Purple, pink and white flowering, and dwarf cultivars exist.
Fancy taxonomic tidbit: The genus name Hardenbergia honors Franziska Countess von Hardenberg, a
19th century Austrian botanist.