Hardenbergia violacea is an excellent Australian native plant that can be used either as a ground cover to scramble over a bank or an ugly area, or as a climber if you give it some support.
Common name: Hardenbergia, False sarsaparilla
Botanical name: Hardenbergia violacea
Evergreen twining climber with showy pea-flowers from August to early November and leathery, dark green leaves. There are many varieties available, including:
‘Happy Wanderer’ – vigorous climber with purple flowers
‘Free ‘n’ Easy’ – vigorous climbing form, white flowers with a hint of pink
‘Happy Duo’ – a white and a purple flowered climbing variety planted in one pot
‘Bushy Purple’ – shrub form with purple flowers
‘Bushy Blue’ – shrub form with blue flowers
‘Bushy Pink’ – shrub form with pink flowers
‘Winter White’ – shrub form with white flowers
‘Mini Haha’ – compact dwarf shrub with deep mauve flowers
Best climate: Hardenbergias will grow in all areas of Australia.
long flowering beautiful pea-flowers in purple, pink, mauve or white not too vigorous, but useful to hide an ugly area or cover a fence. climbing and bushy forms available
Hardenbergias will grow in either sun or semi shade. They like a well drained soil.
Look for hardenbergias at your local nursery. Prices range from $10 for a 140mm (5 1/2") pot to $15 for a 175mm (7") pot.