4 named cultivars

vine

Purple Coral Pea

The Story

Plant Bio

Hardenbergia violacea, the purple coral pea, is an evergreen Australian twining climber or scrambling subshrub with leathery, dark green leaves featuring distinctive net-like venation. In winter and spring, it produces dense, cascading sprays of violet-purple pea flowers, each marked with a small yellow-green spot at the centre.

While the wild species climbs up to four metres by twisting its wiry stems around supports, selected cultivars offer compact, non-climbing shrubby habits or alternative flower colours in pink and white. The tough, leathery foliage remains attractive year-round, serving as a larval host for native butterflies such as the Common Grass Blue.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense screen of glossy evergreen foliage and a prolific display of purple flowers in winter and spring.

Excellent for quick soil stabilization on banks and slopes due to its scrambling habit.

Serves as a larval host plant for the Common Grass Blue butterfly and provides nectar for native bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Vine

Height

118 inches

Width

98 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a sunny to lightly shaded position with excellent drainage, such as a sloping bank or raised bed.
Provide a sturdy trellis, fence, or support structure for climbing varieties to twine around.
Water regularly during the first summer to establish the root system, then reduce frequency.
Apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release native fertiliser in early spring and autumn.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly immediately after the spring flowering flush to maintain density; cutting back hard into old, leafless woody stems will kill the branch as they lack dormant buds to reshoot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Ensure the soil is highly free-draining to prevent root rot.
Prune lightly immediately after flowering to encourage bushier growth.
Protect young plants from frost until they are well established.

Don't

Do not cut back hard into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate.
Do not overwater or allow the plant to sit in waterlogged soil.
Avoid using high-phosphorus fertilisers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Climber for fences and trellisesGroundcover for embankmentsRockery featureUnderstory planting

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Acacia cognata Correa reflexa Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Purple Coral Pea questions

What zones can Purple Coral Pea grow in?

Purple Coral Pea is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Purple Coral Pea bloom?

Purple Coral Pea typically blooms in winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Purple Coral Pea need full sun?

Purple Coral Pea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Purple Coral Pea drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Purple Coral Pea handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.