An Australian evergreen vine that covers itself in clusters of small violet pea flowers in late winter, when little else in the garden is blooming. It twines neatly up a trellis and does best in Phoenix with some protection from hot afternoon sun.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It needs well-drained soil and does not tolerate soggy roots, so let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Pruning
It needs little pruning. If it outgrows its space, cut it back after the bloom finishes in spring; even a hard cut is tolerated.
Heat
Summer is its hard season. Keep it away from west walls and reflected heat off concrete, where leaves scorch.
Feeding
In alkaline soils it can show yellowing leaves. A light spring feeding with an organic fertilizer helps keep the foliage deep green.
How our designers use it
East and north walls
It thrives on a trellis where it gets winter sun and afternoon shade in summer.
Late-winter color
Its bloom fills the gap between winter annuals and the spring flush of desert shrubs.
Light screening
Its fine twining stems cover a fence or wire panel without the bulk of larger vines.
Good to know
Around the pool
Litter is light and it has no thorns. Its flowers draw bees in late winter, so we keep it a few feet back from seating and the pool edge.
