SWAINSONA galegifolia - Smooth Darling Pea

A small attractive evergreen shrub with a spreading habit with light to dark green leaves comprising of 12 or so narrow elliptical leaflets.
Dense pink pea flower heads on 15 cm spikes occur during spring and summer.

Endemic to NSW and Queensland.

Prefers light to medium well-drained soil in an open 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 18-24°C

Swaisona seeds germinate readily, however, they do have a hard outer coating that 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.

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. Sow seed on the surface of a porous seed raising mix. The seed will lodge in the pores of the mix once watered.
3. Cover the seed lightly with seed raising mix. 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 @ 18-24°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.