Family: Papilionaceae

There are around 50 flowering subshrubs and perennials in this genus, mostly native to Australia. They have lovely, long, feathery foliage and very showy pea flowers in long sprays. These quick-growing shrubs have a long flowering period iron) spring to summer, if conditions are favorable, and make attractive additions to the garden, providing excellent cut flowers. The low-growing species are suitable for rockeries and for pots and baskets. In areas prone to frosts, grow in a cool conservatory or greenhouse. There have been some changes in botanical classification: the plant listed here as S. jorrnosa is listed in the US and Europe as Clianthus formosus (see entry on Clianthus).

Species

S. formoa (Synonym: Clianthus formosus), Sturt's desert pea or glory pea, is the floral emblem of South Australia. It is a prostrate, spreading plant with soft, gray-green, ferny foliage. The beak-like, scarlet flowers borne in upright clusters have black to brown, shiny bosses, or bumps, in the middle. It is an annual or short-lived perennial, germinating quickly after rain in its habitat. It is drought-tolerant once established and is most suitable for growing in containers like hanging baskets or up-ended terracotta pipes, filled with potting compost. These plants will not tolerate any root disturbance.

S. galegifolia, Darling pea, from New South Wales and Queensland, grows to 1 m (3 ft), with smooth, light green, pinnate foliage. The flowers range from bright mauve to pink and red, sometimes tinged with brown or yellow. 'Albiflora' has pure white flowers; 'Splendens' has brilliant crimson flowers; and 'Violacea' has rose-violet flowers. S. grayana grows 1 m (3 ft) high, with grayish green, pinnate leaves that are woolly underneath. The mauve, pink or red flowers are marked in white at the bottom of the main petal, and the sepals are tinged with white. The large blooms make good cut flowers.

S. procumbens is a dwarf species, growing to only 30 cm (12 in), with a spreading habit. The large, bright mauve or rose-purple flowers tend to fade as they mature.

Cultivation

Most species grow readily from seed sown in autumn or spring. Seeds need treatment and should be either nicked carefully with a blade, or abraded with sandpaper, before soaking for 24 hours in cold water. They can also be grown from cuttings and need a sunny, well-drained situation. Most plants in this genus will collapse if drainage is not perfect, if they are overwatered, or if conditions are too humid. Swainsonas improve in foam if cut back each winter, new shoots being pendulous or climbing. In frost-prone areas, grow in an airy, cool or intermediate greenhouse in pots of well-drained, soil-based potting compost.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9.