About
This evergreen shrub with slender stems bearing pinnate, grey-green leaves with narrowly oblong leaflets, and racemes of bright red, pea-like flowers 3-5cm in length, followed by pink-tinged, bladdery seed capsules to 5cm in length.
About the genus
A genus of around 62 species of mainly perennial herbs or subshrubs in the legume family, native to eastern and southern Africa. They have narrow, silvery grey-green divided leaflets and racemes of bright orange to red pea-like flowers followed by inflated, papery seeds
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens
Native toS Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand, in full light. During growth, water moderately, keeping the compost just moist and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter or during the dormant season. Can be grown outdoors in a frost-free, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Dry soils are tolerated
PruningPruning group 8. May require restrictive pruning in late winter when grown under glass
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 15°C in spring or strike semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, both with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to earwigs and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free