KENNEDIA beckxiana

An attractive fast growing vigorous vine with middle green divided leaves and bright scarlet orange pea-shaped flowers occurring profusely in loose heads appearing in summer.
Can be grown as a fence cover or ground cover.

Occurs naturally in the IBRA Regions of Esperance Plains, Mallee and Swan Coastal Plain in the south west of Western Australia.

Conservation code: Priority 4: Rare, Near Threatened and other species in need of monitoring.

Prefers a light soil in a sunny position, drought and frost resistant.

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 in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C

Kenendia seeds germinate readily, however, they do have a hard outer coating which is impervious to water. To assist in the uptake of moisture for germination to occur seed is best scarified by pre-treating with hot water first.

Hot water treatment is recommended for this species.

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, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow seed 4 mm deep. Do not bury the seed too deeply
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep warm & moist, and avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
6. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 18-22°C

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 were discarded.