Hovea Acutifolia – Purple Pea Bush

Description

Hovea acutifolia – Purple-blue Flowering Native Pea Shrub

Family: Fabaceae
Packet Size: 10 seeds

Description

Hovea acutifolia is an attractive Australian native pea-flowered shrub from wetter forests and rainforest margins of south-east Queensland and eastern New South Wales. In spring, masses of rich blue to violet-purple flowers appear along the stems, giving a beautiful burst of colour beneath taller trees.

The shrub commonly grows around 1.5–4 m tall, with narrow, pointed dark-green leaves and distinctive fine rusty hairs on the youngest stems and foliage. It is a rewarding choice for a partially shaded native border or woodland-style garden.

Key Features

• Flowers: Abundant blue, mauve or violet-purple pea flowers in spring.
• Foliage: Pointed leaves with attractive rusty new growth.
• Habit: Upright to spreading shrub, particularly suited to woodland margins.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Part shade or filtered light, especially in hot climates.
• Soil: Well-drained, moisture-retentive soil, ideally with some organic matter.
• Climate: Temperate to subtropical gardens; protect small seedlings from prolonged heat and harsh frost.
• Care: Water regularly through establishment, then provide light pruning as required.

Propagation from Seed

1. Break dormancy: Hovea seeds have a hard, water-resistant coat. Carefully nick or abrade a tiny patch away from the embryo, then soak in room-temperature water overnight; a hot-water pre-treatment is another established method.
2. Sow: Plant the swollen seed in a clean, free-draining seed-raising mix, with a light cover of mix.
3. Germinate: Keep consistently moist but not wet in a sheltered, bright position. Germination may be staggered.
4. Pot on: Transplant into individual tubes once seedlings are established and grow on in bright shade.

Germination advice: These instructions are a recommended guide. Germination results and timing may vary depending on seed freshness, storage, temperature and growing conditions. Alternative propagation methods may also be successful.