Swainsonia formosa seeds – (Sturt’s Desert Pea)

Description

Picture thanks to Paul-Alain Hunt on Unsplash

This native australian flower is from the dry desert parts of australia. It has magnificent bright red flowers, with very dark black centres. Some different forms appear from time to time and  these can have flowers that  range from white to pink and red with or without the black central spot. It is a short lived perennial , but is usually treated as an annual. Swainsonia formosa is a ground covering plant spreading up to about 3m wide and is approx 20cm tall.

As this plant needs a small amount only of watering once established and extremely good drainage, a good place to grow it is in a pot filled with gritty soil and fine shingle in the full sun.  It also does well in hanging baskets, and is sought after as an excellent and unusual cut flower.

Sowing advice

These seeds respond to a brief soaking  in boiled water, as they have a hard skin which needs to be softened. Plant them in spring or autumn

1. Put the seeds into a cup and pour boiling water on them
2. Soak them for 5-10 minutes in the boiling water
3. Sow the seed on moist seed raising mix and cover with about 5mm of mix.
4. Put the seed container in a partially shaded place which is also warm and keep them moist but not waterlogged
5. Germination should occur in about  10-21 days at temp  18-24°C

Grow the plants on in a mix of 9 parts  composted pine bark  and 1 part sand. Fertilise regularly using slow release fertiliser as they are heavy feeders and this will promote good flower production.