This vigorous twining plant has slender woody stems that climb over structures and plants forming a dense cover. It has dark green lanced-shaped leaves and the small purple pea-shaped flowers appear in a pendant raceme during spring.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Hardenbergia violacea is naturally found in Australia growing in coastal and mountain regions from Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia appearing in woodlands or on rocky hillsides. 

It prefers a well drained moderately fertile moist sandy-stony to clay loam and grows in a sunny to semi-shaded position and is drought and slightly frost tolerant.

Sarsaparilla is grown for its prolific flowers and its climbing habit. It is grown over lattice or on wire fence for screening and is used as a ground cover or spill-over above retaining walls. It is quick growing establishing in 1 to 2 years from seed but may be short lived. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 1 to 2 years and is also planted in patio pots and planter boxes. ID 132

Hardenbergia (hard-an-BERG-ee-a) violacea (vee-o-LAH-see-a)
'Hardenbergia': after Austrian Countess Franziska von Hardenberg; 'violacea': violet-coloured.

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)