Hardenbergia
violacea is known as Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla or
Native Sarsaparilla and is a member of the Fabaceae (Pea) family. This climbing or twining plant is found in all eastern
states and South Australia. The “conventional” form is a vigorous climber
or twiner, which may be trained to grow on fences or other structures. The
purple pea-shaped flowers cover the plant in spring. There are also white and
pink flowered forms. Some forms develop into shrubs. One popular shrubby form
is known as Mini Haha.
“Happy Wanderer” is a vigorous climber with dense
clusters of purple flowers. The image shows a "Happy Wanderer" vine
covering a chook (chicken) pen in Tamworth, northern New South Wales. This
cultivar is one of the most colourful Australian native vines.
Pruning will increase foliage density and flowers
with all forms. Propagates readily from seed although various colour forms
should be propagated from cuttings to retain their characteristics.
We have
seen Hardenbergia violacea growing as a ground cover in Oxley Wild
Rivers National Park. The plants covered an area of many square metres and
were an eye-catching sight because they were in full flower.