Hardenbergia violacea (false sarsaparilla, "Hitotsubamame")

Japanese name: ヒトツバマメ （一葉豆）
Scientific name: Hardenbergia violacea

[Overview]
An evergreen woody climber.
The stems grow more than 6 m long, and the upper part becomes vine-like and twines around other objects.
The leaves are simple and alternate, long and narrow, leathery, thick, and entire.
Racemes arise from the leaf axils and densely bear many flowers.
The flowers are papilionaceous with a rounded standard petal; the color is usually bluish purple, but pink, white and others also occur.
The fruit is a long, narrow legume.

[Cultivation]
Propagate mainly by cuttings, but seed is also possible.
It tolerates winter temperatures down to about -3°C, but avoid frost and cold wind, which can damage the plant.
In cold regions, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors.
As long as the soil is sunny and well drained, it is not particular about soil type.
Strong direct sunlight in midsummer and extreme dryness cause leaf scorch and damage the plant, so move potted plants to airy partial shade.
Excess moisture causes root rot, so for potted plants take care to avoid overly wet conditions; from spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
Watch for drying out from the time the buds form until the flowers have finished.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply slow-release fertilizer once a month in spring and autumn, but pay attention to the nutrient ratio, since a fertilizer high in nitrogen makes the plant produce only leaves and flower poorly.
Although it is a climber, it can be treated like a shrub if cut back.
Avoid pruning in autumn and later, when the flower buds form.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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