Discover the beauty and benefits of Hovea acutifolia, a stunning native pea shrub that’s a standout in any garden!
Quick Facts:
- Height: Mostly 1- 2m but sometimes 3m tall
- Flowering Season: Prolific in Winter and Spring
- Foliage: Dark green leaves with a bronze underside
- Growth Rate: Fast-growing
- Life Span: Typically around 7 years
Blooming Beauty: Hovea acutifolia is celebrated for its stunning blue to purple pea-shaped flowers. These flowers are most likely adapted for native bee pollination. Studies have done on Leioproctus (Colletidae) utilising a unique tripping mechanism where the pollinator’s weight triggers the stamens to emerge, ensuring effective pollen transfer.
Ecological Benefits: This fast growing shrub a prolific flowerer and fruiter that is adapted to recolonising areas after fire. It is also a nitrogen fixer, forming a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia to enrich the soil for neighbouring trees. It can be used as green mulch, weed suppressant and provide homes for beneficial insects that provide biological control for garden pests. It also provides excellent protection and shelter for small native birds, and attracts insects for them to feed on. It thrives in various conditions, from light frost to salty soils. Apparently the seeds when green can be cooked and eaten. Care must be taken to ensure correct identification. Some acacias and peas seeds are toxic and most edible ones can have chemicals that require cooking first to not be harmful.
Habitat & History: Found on the fringes of wet sclerophyll forests and rainforest margins from southeast Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales, Hovea acutifolia is thought to be an ex-rainforest species as in the nursery it does like a drink. It is surprisingly hardy in the open though care must be taken it gets a regular drink. Its name honors botanical collector Anton Hove, with “acutifolia” referring to its pointed leaves.
Garden Tips:
- Location: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Prefers well-draining soil, with moderate moisture depending on sun situation mulch climate etc
- Watering: Adequate watering, benefits from mulching to retain moisture
- Pruning: Light pruning after flowering encourages growth and blooms
Propagation: Hovea acutifolia can be grown from seed with a little care. To enhance germination, treat seeds with boiling water or scarify the seed coat. Germination takes 1 to 2 weeks, and seedlings are ready to be potted once roots reach 1 cm.
A Versatile Choice: Perfect for small gardens, pots, roadside plantings, and parks, Hovea acutifolia adds vibrant color and ecological value to any landscape. Its dense growth makes it an excellent screening plant and a haven for wildlife.
Embrace the charm of Hovea acutifolia in your garden and enjoy the myriad benefits this native beauty offers!
Hovea is a captivating genus comprising around forty species of flowering plants within the Fabaceae family, all uniquely native to Australia. These charming plants range from sub-shrubs and shrubs to small trees, adorned with simple leaves and blossoms in hues of purple, blue, or mauve. Hovea species grace every Australian state. The genus name, Hovea, pays tribute to Anton Hove, a dedicated botanical collector. The species name “acutifolia” translates to “sharp-leaved,” perfectly describing the distinctive leaf apex shape.
Biotic pollination mechanisms in the Australian flora — a review: New Zealand Journal of Botany: Vol 17, No 4 (www.tandfonline.com)
Published on Native Plants Queensland – Caboolture Branch Facebook
