Swainsona ‘Sturt’s Desert Pea’ 6″ Pot

 Swainsona formosa

Sturt’s desert pea is an Australian groundcover plant in the genus Swainsona, named after English botanist Isaac Swainson, famous for its distinctive blood-red leaf-like flowers, each with a bulbous black center, or “boss”. It is one of Australia’s best-known wildflowers. It is native to the arid regions of central and north-western Australia, and its range extends into all mainland Australian states with the exception of Victoria. These are very rare to find in Victoria and are a bit of a challenge to grow here.

The flowers are about 9 centimeters in length and grow in clusters of around half a dozen on thick vertical stalks (peduncles), which spring up every 10-15 centimeters along the prostrate stems in a bright red, which may be up to 2 meters in length.

Prevent the plants from succumbing to root rot caused by the fungus Fusarium by planting them in an open, free-draining media of 9 parts composted pine bark to 1 part washed river sand serves as an ideal medium for growing the Sturt’s Desert Pea, or some good native potting mix. Bottom watering is normally preferred, as top watering results in water accumulating near the base of the stem promoting root rot.

6″/14cm pot