Now that Cockies Tongues is flowering, Hardenbergia comptoniana follows close behind and paints the winter bushland purple. I got home from camping in Cue to find the Hardenbergia that climbs up my garden fence covered in blooms and bees a-buzzing with nectar drinking.

Scientific name Hardenbergia comptoniana

Common name Native Wisteria

Flower July – October

Seed pod cylindrical hard black pod. [1] On hot days the pod will open with an audible pop and the seeds are flung away from the plant.

Unripe seed pod

Associated wildlife insects feed on the nectar and pollinate the plant

Each seed has a white, oily aril attached. [2] This attracts ants [1] and they take seeds into the ant nest for storage and later eating. Some seeds will germinate underground and grow into new plants. The ant in this photo (below) is walking past Hemiandra leaves to the ant nest with its prize.

Growth habit climbing shrub

Cultivation Easy to grow from seed after soaking in almost boiling water to soften the hard seed coat. [3]

Note: Do not take seed from bushland. It is illegal. On private land, with permission from the owner, you can legally collect seed for garden use.

Will grow up a fence as a screening plant.

This photo (above) was taken 4 years ago when you could still see some of the lattice I trained it up (bottom right). Hardenbergia is extremely vigorous and needs pruning a few times a year. The winter flowering period is spectacular, but it dies back in summer. Summer watering will ensure it stays green year round. I prune the dead branches in summer and it starts growing vigorously again as temperatures cool.

Florabase record https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3961

References

1. Rippey & Rowland (1995) Plants of the Perth Coast and Islands Perth: UWA Press
2. Kingsley Dixon (2011) Coastal Plants: A guide to the identification and restoration of plants of the Perth region Collingwood, Vic: CSIRO Publishing
3. Wrigley & Fagg (1998) Australian Native Plants: Propagation, Cultivation and use in Landscaping (4th ed) Sydney: Reed New Holland

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