Hardenbergia Comptoniana

Native Wisteria / Lilac Vine

Botanical Name: Hardenbergia comptoniana
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Western Australia (Australian native)
Plant Type: Evergreen twining climber

Overview

A graceful, twining Australian native climber, Hardenbergia comptoniana thrives in Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, producing cascades of lilac to violet pea-flowers through late winter and spring. Softer and more delicate than its cousin H. violacea, it creates a draping, wisteria-like display over trellises, arbours, fences, and pergolas. It is well suited to coastal and inland SA conditions, tolerating heat, wind, and dry periods once established. Perfect for adding colour, screening, or vertical softness to native, cottage, or mixed gardens with minimal care.

Key Features

• Mature Size: Twining stems 2–4 m long (can extend further in ideal conditions); width varies with support
• Growth Rate: 40-80 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Soft, mid-green leaves that may develop bronze or purple tints in winter or dry spells
• Flowers: Beautiful lilac-purple pea-shaped blooms from late winter to mid-spring; often lightly fragrant at warm times of day. Flowers have a soft, sweet, subtle fragrance, most noticeable on warm afternoons
  
• Seasonal Interest: Spectacular winter–spring flowering display when little else is blooming, followed by neat evergreen foliage providing reliable year-round cover
• Wildlife Value: An excellent nectar and pollen source for native bees, hoverflies and beneficial insects. Dense growth provides shelter for small birds
• Tolerance: Tolerates heat, dry winds, and coastal exposure. Drought-tolerant once established. Handles light frost but may be damaged by severe frosts in Adelaide Hills frost pockets. Best in well-drained soils
• Planting Density: Climbers: plant 1–2 m apart along fences or trellis; 1 per post/feature for vertical training
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs; safe in family gardens

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (flowers best in full sun; tolerates light shade)
• Soil: Free-draining sandy, loamy or gravel soils; tolerates mild alkalinity common in SA suburbs
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2-3 weeks in summer; little needed in winter
• Maintenance: Low-maintenance. Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and control spread. Avoid heavy pruning into old wood. Mulch annually and provide a light native fertiliser in early spring. Train early for strongest form
• Lifespan: 8–15+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate SA—including Adelaide plains, southern suburbs, coastal regions, and sheltered areas of the Adelaide Hills
• Soil pH: Tolerates slightly acidic to moderately alkaline soils

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Train along fences, trellises, pergolas, and arbours for a soft, wisteria-like effect
• Perfect for adding winter–spring colour to native gardens
• Allow to spill over embankments or rockeries
• Combine with Grevillea, Westringia, Correa, and native grasses for a cohesive native palette
  

Why You Will Love It

A stunning, wisteria-like climber that flowers when the garden needs colour most, Hardenbergia comptoniana is tough, water-wise, and effortless in Adelaide’s climate. Its masses of lilac blooms and soft evergreen foliage create beauty, shade, and natural screening with minimal care.