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Scientific: Hardenbergia violacea (Synonyms: Hardenbergia monophylla, Kennedya monophylla, Kennedya ovata)
Common: purple coral pea, Australian lilac, Australian sarsparilla, and false sarsaparilla
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Southeast Australia where it exists as a ground cover in rocky, shrubby habitat.

Pronounciation: Har-den-BER-gee-a vee-o-LA-see-a

Hardiness zones
Sunset
8-24
USDA 9 (freeze protection) to 11

Landscape Use: Climbing accent, trellis on patios, house or walls.

Form & Character: A subtle vine plant of passion, twining, intricate, interesting, tough.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, perennial vine, moderate spreading to 50 feet, needs support to climb.

Foliage/Texture: Alternate, classic lanceolate leaf to 4-inches long with margins rounded at base. Prominent mid-vein, medium green; medium texture.

Flowers & Fruits: "Strings" (racemes) of small violet to mauve flowers, terminal; fruit turgid pod to 1.5-inches long.

Seasonal Color: A wonderful display of late winter/early spring flowers, typically in later February in Phoenix.

Temperature: Freeze damage occurs if temperatures fall below 24oF.

Light: Partial light shade from western sun is best; will take full sun, but one should be careful to avoid placing this cool vine in a highly reflective radiation environment such as around lots full sun exposed concrete and asphalt.

Soil: Well drained, might need extra nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer in Phoenix's alkaline soils.

Watering: Irrigate regularly, but allow soil to just dry between irrigations.

Pruning: Severe renewal pruning to 1/2 or 1/3rd of size in April after bloom if one needs to the spread of this vine, otherwise, none needed.

Propagation: Seed, needs acid scarification and soaking in water for 24 hours before sowing because of the hard seed coat, germinate best at 70oF.

Disease and Pests: None, disease and pest free in Phoenix.

Additional comments: Purple coral pea is a dependable vine for Phoenix landscapes in mesic or oasis landscape designs. Purple, pink and white flowering, and dwarf cultivars exist.

Fancy taxonomic tidbit: The genus name Hardenbergia honors Franziska Countess von Hardenberg, a 19th century Austrian botanist.