Purple coral pea Hardenbergia violacea
Purple coral pea (Hardenbergia violacea) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Fabaceae family, native to Eastern and southern Australia (Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia). It grows 50 cm–3 m (20 in–10 ft) tall and 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Purple coral pea in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Purple coral pea at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–3 m (20 in–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern and southern Australia (Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Purple coral pea toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison by the ASPCA.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Purple coral pea
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
See Purple coral pea in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (3 plants)
Questions about Purple coral pea
- How far apart should I plant Purple coral pea?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft).
- Does Purple coral pea need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purple coral pea need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Purple coral pea?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Purple coral pea flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Purple coral pea poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Purple coral pea?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Twiner or groundcover depending on the cultivar; flowers in late winter and spring in Australia. Tolerates light frost to about -5 C.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis