Plant of the Month: Hardenbergia violacea (Waraburra)

Along with wattles, Hardenbergia violacea (Waraburra) is one of our gorgeous native plants that signals spring is not far away. It is a twining climber or scrambler with rich purple blooms; white- and pink-flowered cultivars are also available.

It’s a highly versatile plant that can cope with all soil types from sandy to clay (although does need adequate drainage) and being in the pea family, fixes nitrogen in the soil which will benefit surrounding plants. Leaves will burn in extreme cold.

It’s a fast grower but tends to grow upwards rather than spreading horizontally, so after a few years you’ll be left with bare stems at the base of a climbing structure, making it not very useful for screening. To overcome this, plant another low-growing shrub in front of it – you could even use a mounding variety of Hardenbergia like Meema™.

Plant info

• Traditional name: Waraburra (Kattang/Worimi)

• Botanical name: Hardenbergia violacea

• Common names: Happy wanderer, Purple coral pea, native sarsparilla

• Family: Fabaceae

• Type: Perennial climber, mounding groundcover

• Origin: Australia (woodland and coastal)

• Climate zone: Mediterranean to sub-tropical

• Spread: 3m

• Uses: Low maintenance garden, groundcover, mass planting, habitat, playground

• Flowering time: Late winter to spring

Growing notes

• Light: Full sun to light shade

• Soil: All

• Water: Low

• Care: Seedlings susceptible to snails and slugs. Ensure soil is free-draining, don’t overwater, check for signs of root rot and fungal problems in humid areas.

• Propagation: By seed, soak overnight in boiling water to ensure good germination