Hardenbergia violacea

(Native Sarsparilla)

While we have put this plant in the climber category, Hardenbergia violacea can actually be quite variable. Different forms can climb, trail or have a more upright shrubby habit.

Choosing trailing forms means you will have a great groundcover, with stems that can spread up to 2 metres.

This plant would have to be one of the most recognisable of native species, as it's one of those plants that crossed over into 'mainstream' years ago. It's a very popular garden plant, with a selection of different cultivars to choose from.

Hardenbergia violacea is found naturally in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Selections from the Tablelands of NSW are frost hardy, but selections from coastal regions and northern areas are unlikely to be frost tolerant.

Description

The sprays of purplish-blue, pea-shaped flowers in late winter and spring are the plant's most recognisable feature. However, white, pink and pale mauve forms are available. Shown here is a particularly beautiful white cultivar developed by Austraflora called Hardenbergia 'Edna Walling Snow White'.

Austraflora have also developed this stunning two-tone combination called Hardenbergia 'Happy Duo' (below left) (Both images courtesy of Austraflora, www.austraflora.com )

'Happy Wanderer' is still undoubtedly the most popular cultivar (in fact it's fast becoming the common name for the plant, such is its popularity). 'Happy Wanderer' is particularly floriferous (loads of flowers!) and it is a very vigorous climbing form.

Cultivation and Propagation

Hardenbergia grows well in sun or semi-shade but the density of growth can vary. It does prefer well-drained soil; however, most plants are fairly adaptable.

It can be grown from seed, which needs to be scarified prior to sowing. Plants grown from seed can be very variable and different from the parent plant. Cuttings need to be taken if you want a plant exactly like the parent.

Close Relative

Hardenbergia comptoniana (below), which is found naturally in Western Australia, is also a popular garden plant. The flowers and forms are similar to H. violacea, but H. comptoniana has trifoliate leaves (three leaflets), which can be seen clearly in the image below, and the flowers aren't quite as dark as H. violacea. It too is available in a range of cultivars, including white flowered varieties.

It too likes well drained soil but it's fairly hardy, and it prefers a semi-shaded environment.

Information sources:

Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M, 2003, Australian Native Plants, New Holland Publishers.

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