JACKSONIA floribunda

A flowering shrub 0.5 to 3m in the Fabaceae (pea) family which produces attractive yellow, orange, and red pea-like flowers from October to December or January to May depending on location and conditions. Flowers are followed by pods containing the seed.

Occurs naturally in the regions of the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, and Swan Coastal Plains of Western Australia.

Prefers light to medium well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought-tolerant and frost resistant to light frost.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

Seed germinates readily, however they do have a hard outer coating that is impervious to water and generally germination will normally not occur unless the seed is scarified by abrading or pre-treated with boiling water first.

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just-boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. The swollen seed can then be sown, and re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow 3-4mm deep, keep warm & moist but not wet.
4. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 18-22C.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they have been discarded.