Archive for the 'Climbers and Ground Covers' Category

Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman)

2 Comments »30th December, 2008; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants

Kennedia prostrata

Kennedia prostrata is a dryland creeping plant which, given good conditions will become a dense, flat ground covering plant. In particularly dry areas it is a little sparse, but given more than 350 mm rainfall, the plant will cover an area quite well, up to 3 metres across. Ants will carry the seed around and sometimes more plants will pop up around the garden. As can be seen from the photos, well grown plants are attractive in flower.

This species grows in acid to alkaline conditions, is moderately frost tolerant, and can be trimmed if necessary. It flowers from winter through to early summer, depending on the area. More information can be found here and here.

Kennedia prostrata

Eremophila subteretifolia

1 Comment »16th January, 2008; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila

Eremophila subteretifolia

When I first began growing Eremophilas (Emu Bushes) I tried those that were considered to be hardy and available through plant sales put on by the Australian Plants Society. 20 years ago there were not many species in the nursery trade.

Eremophila subteretifolia is ground cover plant covering about 3 metres and with the occasional branch rising to about 25 cm. It is mostly quite prostrate and has a cascading effect on embankments. It is not a vigorous plant so is easily contained to an area. This is another of those ground covering plants which could be used as a substitute lawn where it would not be walked over.

This species is very drought tolerant and frost hardy.

The plant has orange tubular flowers which are enjoyed by Honeyeaters, particularly Red Wattle Birds and New Holland Honeyeaters.

Hardenbergia violacea (Native Wisteria)

2 Comments »21st August, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Hardy Australian Native PLants

Hardenbergia violacea mauve

I noticed this plant scrambling along a fence on one of the main roads in the town. This particular form of Hardenbergia also makes a great plant for a ground cover or draped down an embankment. It is a very hardy plant which is perennial and should be trimmed back to the new shoots after flowering. If seed is to be collected, it is a good idea to let a few sprays remain on the plant to set seed and mature and to be cut back later. Cuttings of good forms work well too, using the new growth.

When a plant is as dense as this one is, some hedge clippers would probably do the pruning very well.

Although the flowering time is limited to about 2 months at the most, the creeper on the fence stays green and dense for the rest of the year.

There are white and pink forms of this plant. The pink is particularly pretty but does not seem to be as robust as the others.

Hardenbergia violacea (Native Wisteria)

2 Comments »13th May, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants

Hardenbergia violacea (purple)

Hardenbergia violacea is a hardy climbing plant which comes in purple, pink or white sprays of pea shaped flowers. I have also seen a plant with bluish sprays of flowers. The clusters of flowers are what gives this species its common name. This is also successfully grown as a scrambling plant hanging down an embankment. It sometimes grows as a scrambling shrub rather than as a climber.

Hardenbergia violacea (white)

More On Kunzea Pomifera (Muntries)

1 Comment »27th March, 2007; Category: Bush Tucker, Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants

Kunzea pomifera (Muntries) Plants

I was so busy eating the Muntries fruits that I did not think to take a photo of them. What a silly thing to do. It still amazes me that the plants are so prolific in this area.

The dark green patches are the Kunzea plants.