Hardenbergia comptoniana

Hardenbergia comptoniana, or native wisteria, is a vigorous climber with sprays of deep purple, scented pea flowers. Each flower shows two stunning green ‘eyes’.

Hardenbergia was named in honour of Franziska, Countess von Hardenberg, an active patron of botany. She was the sister of Baron Carl von Hugel, a 19th century Austrian diplomat, soldier and horticulturist who travelled in Australia and introduced some of our native plants to Europe. It is believed he named the plant for his sister’s green eyes.

The comptoniana part of the name was for Lady Northampton – surname Compton – who had grown the plant in her English garden in the early 1800s. The names of this plant illustrate how the history of plant-naming is both complex and fascinating.

The three ‘leaves’ on each stem are in fact one leaf that has evolved into three leaflets. Hardenbergia comptoniana beats the heat by shedding most of its leaves during hot weather and it holds the remainder in a vertical position to avoid full sunlight.

The main flowering period is from July to November. In Perth you’ll often see it putting on its best display from August to October.

Its nectar-rich flowers attract native bees, honeybees, butterflies and small nectar-feeding birds such as honeyeaters.

It’s an excellent garden plant for well-drained soils, full sun to partial shade. Some support such as a fence, trellis or pergola is needed.

In Kings Park it can be seen in flower in parts of the Botanic Garden and throughout the bushland. Why not join us on a Heart of the Park walk where you will see it and many other ‘eye-catching’ plants.