Hardenbergia Violacea
Hardenbergia violacea (Schneev.) Stearn
Hardenbergia violacea, the purple coral pea, is one of Australia's most beloved and widely cultivated native climbers, producing cascading racemes of vivid purple, pink, or white pea flowers in late winter and spring. The official floral emblem of the Australian Capital Territory, it is a nitrogen-fixing, low-maintenance, and spectacularly colourful vine for gardens worldwide.
Fabaceae
Late winter to spring (July to October), with the most spectacular display in August and September; some cultivars and forms may produce occasional flowers at other times of the year
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: grevilleas and verbascum phoeniceums also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Hardenbergia violacea is the official floral emblem of the Australian Capital Territory, proclaimed to represent the region's natural heritage. In its Ngunnawal name, the plant is called Waraburra, reflecting the deep connection of the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the ACT region, to this plant and its country. The genus Hardenbergia was named by the English botanist George Bentham in 1837 in honour of Franziska Countess von Hardenberg (Franziska Barbara Maria Anna Fortunata von Reede tot Amerongen, Countess von Hardenberg), a 19th-century Austrian patron of botany; her brother, Baron Karl von Hugel, was a botanist who explored Western Australia in 1833 and contributed significantly to the knowledge of Australian flora. The species name violacea comes from the Latin viola, meaning "violet," directly referencing the typical flower colour. Hardenbergia violacea was first formally described in 1793 by George Voorhelm Schneevoogt and transferred to Hardenbergia by William T. Stearn in 1940. An upright form of H. violacea was introduced to English cultivation as early as 1793, making it one of the earliest Australian plants to be successfully grown in Britain. As a member of the legume family (Fabaceae), Hardenbergia violacea has the ecologically significant ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules, actively improving the fertility of the surrounding soil and supporting the growth of neighbouring plants.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; flowers most prolifically in a sunny position; tolerates light shade well
Water
Drought-tolerant once established; prefers consistent moisture during the growing and flowering season; water regularly until established; avoid prolonged waterlogging; mulch well to retain soil moisture
Soil
Sandy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Loam, Well-drained, Acidic to neutral, Adaptable to most well-drained soils
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in well-drained soil of most types in a sunny or partly shaded position; one of the most broadly adaptable of all Australian native climbers
Provide a trellis, fence, or other support if a climbing habit is desired; allow to sprawl as a dense groundcover if preferred
Prune immediately after flowering to keep the plant compact and encourage vigorous new growth that will carry next year's flowers
As a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules and can improve the fertility of surrounding soil without fertiliser
Propagate from seed (treat the hard seed coat by abrasion or soaking in boiling water for 30 seconds before sowing); cuttings of firm current season growth also strike successfully
Seed retains viability for many years; this is a robust plant that remains viable after very long dormancy periods
Hardy to approximately -5 degrees Celsius once established; suitable for cool temperate gardens in southern Australia and comparable climates internationally; listed as endangered in Tasmania
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Climbing or twining vine for fences, trellises, arches, and pergolas
- Dense groundcover for slopes, banks, and large garden areas when grown without support
- Container growing for courtyards and balcony gardens
- Informal low hedge (shrubby, non-climbing cultivars)
- Erosion control on sandy or loamy slopes
- Wildlife garden planting; the flowers attract native bees, honeybees, and butterflies; the plant is also a caterpillar food plant for several native butterfly species
- Nitrogen-fixation to improve soil fertility in native garden beds
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hardenbergia Violacea
Why is hardenbergia violacea the floral emblem of the ACT?
Hardenbergia violacea was chosen as the official floral emblem of the Australian Capital Territory to represent its natural heritage. It grows natively in the region and its vivid winter-to-spring flowering display is a celebrated seasonal event in the ACT landscape. In the Ngunnawal language of the traditional custodians of the ACT, the plant is called Waraburra.
What does the yellow spot on a hardenbergia flower mean?
The distinctive yellow or yellow-green blotch or spot on the centre of the standard petal (the large upper petal) of each flower acts as a nectar guide for pollinators, directing bees and other insects toward the flower's nectar and pollen. This is a common feature in many legume flowers and plays an important role in attracting the right pollinators for cross-pollination.
Is hardenbergia violacea the same as happy wanderer?
"Happy Wanderer" is a commonly used nursery name or informal cultivar name applied to vigorous, freely climbing forms of Hardenbergia violacea with particularly vivid violet-purple flowers. It is not a formally registered cultivar name, but is widely used in Australian horticulture to describe one of the most popular and readily available climbing forms of the species.
Does hardenbergia violacea fix nitrogen?
Yes. As a member of the legume family (Fabaceae), Hardenbergia violacea forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. This means it actively improves the fertility of surrounding soil as it grows, benefiting neighbouring plants without the need for nitrogen-rich fertilisers.
How do you grow hardenbergia violacea from seed?
Seeds have a hard, impervious coat that must be broken before they will germinate. The easiest method is to nick or abrade the seed coat with fine sandpaper (scarification) or to pour freshly boiled water over the seeds in a heat-safe container and let them soak for several hours until they swell. Sow swollen seeds in a well-drained propagation mix. The seeds retain viability for many years and germination is generally reliable after pre-treatment.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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