Lilac Vine.
Hardenbergia violacea, Legume, Pea, Bean, Pulse Family: ( Fabaceae ) ( Leguminosae ), Lilac Vine. Also Called: Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer Vine, False Sarsaparilla, or Native Sarsaparilla.

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Hardenbergia violacea is an evergreen shrubby vine, up to 10 feet tall, 5 feet wide. The leaves are dark, glossy green with prominent veins and are 2 1/2 to 3 inches in length.

The flowers consist of 4 petals; the "standard", the "keel" and two "wings". The flowers, which appear in winter and spring, are usually violet in color but pink, and white are sometimes found.

It is adaptable to most soils.

Propagation is easy from seed following pre-treatment to break the physical dormancy provided by the impervious seed coat. Pre-treatment can be carried out by abrasion or by the use of boiling water. The seed retains viability for many years.

Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea) blooms in late Winter to early Spring -- which is Summer and early Fall in its native Australia. Lovely purple flowers -- almost wisteria-like-- announce that Spring is coming. Needs moderate water, partial shade and a trellis to climb on.

Quick Notes:

Height: An evergreen vine, 3 - 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide. Some will reach 10 - 12 feet tall and about 5 feet wide.

Flowers: Small, purple, violet,pink, or white flowers of the typical "pea" shape consisting of 4 petals; the "standard", the "keel" and two "wings."

Flowering Time: Mid February - April in Phoenix.

Leaves: Ovate, heart-shaped and undulate.

Found: Native to Australia, occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. . The USDA claims it is native of the USA (AL, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX), USA+ (PR, VI).

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Elevation: 600 - 4,900 feet In Arizona.

Habitat: It occurs in a variety of habitats from coast to mountains, usually in open forest/woodland in its native habitat in Australia. An ideal xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona.

Miscellaneous: Photos Taken February 29, 2008. Glendale, Arizona.