Hardenbergia violacea - native sarsparilla

Hardenbergia violacea – Native Sarsaparilla

A tough and easy care climber or ground covering plant, this plant is spectacular when in flower, with many purple sprays of blossom. It blooms from spring through summer, and the plant fixes nitrogen from the air, which is good for the soil. It grows low to around 3 metres wide, and the dense habit smothers weeds once established, making it good for home gardens and larger landscapes. Also great for kids playgrounds. Low frost tolerance, drought tolerant, suits light clay to sandy soils, sun to part shade.

Sow seed in the warm months of the year. The seed has a hard coating, and needs soaking overnight to soften it. Put boiling water into a container, then put seeds in the water and let it cool down naturally. Plant the next day into seed raising mix, only just covering the seed with soil, keep moist but not wet until germination, which should be in 1 to 3 weeks.


Plant Information

Plant Type - Large shrub, Ground cover, Climber
Common Name - Native sarsaparilla
Scientific Name - Hardenbergia violacea
Family - Fabaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 2
Maximum Height - 5
Minimum Width - 2
Maximum Width - 3
Flower Colour - Purple
Flowering Time - Spring
pH Level - Acid, Neutral
Soil Type - Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Potting mix, Poor soil
Plant Environment - Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Container growing, Cottage garden, Flower garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant, Wildflower meadow
Climate Zone - Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Mediterranean
Light - Sunny, Light shade
Growth Habit - Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading
Life Span - Perennial
Soil Moisture - Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Propagation Method - Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates light frost, Not frost tolerant
Plant Usage - Topiary, Groundcover, Screen, Windbreak
Special Uses - Fast growing, Playground friendly
Attracts Wildlife - Bees, Butterflies, Other insects
Angus Cultivar - No