Swainsona formosa – Sturt’s Desert Pea
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- Swainsonia Formosa – sturts desert pea
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- Swainsonia Formosa – sturts desert pea
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- Swainsonia Formosa – sturts desert pea
An iconic flower from arid desert regions in central Australia, with distinctive red flowers highlighted by the deep black centres. It has pinnate grey green leaves, and it is mostly sprawling and low growing in habit. There are different coloured forms, from cream to pink to all red without the black centre.
To grow the Sturt’s desert pea, it needs perfect drainage, full sun, and minimal watering once the seedling becomes established. A good way to grow in the garden, is in a large tub or a terracotta drainage pipe stood upright and filled with gritty free draining soil. Hanging baskets are also a great way to grow them. It is usually treated as an annual, and should flower 4 months after sowing from seed.
It was formerly known as Clianthus formosus, and is a protected plant in South Australia.
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Swainsona formosa |
| Common Name: | Sturt's Desert Pea |
| Plant Type: | Small shrub, Ground cover |
| Height: | 0.5 ~ 0.75 metres |
| Width: | 1 ~ 3 metre |
| Flower Colour: | Cream, Red, Pink, Black |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Summer |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Sandy loam |
| Plant Environment: | Container growing, Cottage garden, Flower garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Warm temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid, Arid |
| Light: | Sunny |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Spreading, Mound-shaped, Weeping |
| Lifespan: | Biennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Well-drained |
| Propagation Method: | Seed |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Groundcover, Feature plant, Attractive foliage, Wow factor |
| Special Features: | |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Other insects |
The information provided on the Gardening With Angus website is provided for general educational purposes about a variety of Australian plants. We recommend you seek further advice from qualified professionals regarding your own individual circumstances. Further disclaimer information>>
WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.