With airy sprays of exquisite violet flowers over a long period, a sweet perfume and elegant evergreen foliage – Hardenbergia violacea is a rare climber that deserves to be much more widely grown. Native to Australia, this half-hardy climber produces cascades of fragrant, pea-like flowers through spring and summer. The delicate purple flowers (occasionally pink or white) resemble a miniature wisteria and are carried on slender, twining stems that weave effortlessly around trellises or obelisks, needing minimal support to create a stunning vertical display on a sunny patio or in a sheltered courtyard. Its slender, pointed evergreen foliage reaches up to 12cm in length, providing an elegant backdrop to the pendant blooms. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
This half hardy climber is best grown in a container and brought into a frost-free place indoors to overwinter. It may survive outdoors in mild climates with some winter protection. Ultimate height: 2.5m (8.2ft). Ultimate spread: 1m (3.2ft).
Rare half hardy evergreen with cascade of fragrant, purple pea-like flowers and elegant foliage.
Grow in moist, fertile, acidic soil or ericaceous compost in a warm, sunny, sheltered position such as south facing wall. Provide some support. Plants are best grown in container and overwintered indoors in a frost free location although they may survive outdoors over winter in a mild, sheltered position if given some winter protection such as a thick mulch. Feed every month during the growing season and reduce watering over winter.
