Scientific Name: HOVEA elliptica
Common Name: Karri Blue Bush
Alternative Common Name: Tree Hovea
Family: Fabaceae
Height: Up to 2-3m (7′-10′)
Width: Up to 1m (3′)
Description: A lovely slender perennial shrub with attractive dark green oval-shaped leaves.
Flowers: producing for 3 months each Spring a profusion of deep blue to violet pea-flowers with white centres in short clusters.
Soil: Prefers light to medium well-drained laterite, gravel, clay loam, sandy loam or sandy soils. Can adapt to other soil types.
Aspects: Easy to grow from seed. Drought resistant. Open position in full sun or part shade.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, granite outcrops, stabilized sand dunes, slopes, ridges. Adapts to other areas.
Growing: Soak seeds overnight in a cup of hot (not boiling) water. Drain cup and remove swollen seeds. Unswollen seeds can be soaked again until swollen. Fill small pots with moist , sandy soil and compress. Sow 2-3 seeds 6mm (1/4″) deep in each pot. Keep soil moist. Cover pots with clear polythene to preserve moisture and warmth.
Landscape: Very attractive in a garden setting. Can be pruned to make a small compact shrub. Garden, shrubbery or large pot or tub.
Cultivation: Place pots in a warm, shaded position. Keep soil moist. Remove polythene once germination starts.Germination usually takes between 1 (soaked seeds) and 12 weeks (unsoaked seeds). Protect seedlings from snails. Any time after the seed emerges or once a tap root appears at the base of pot, transplant the seedling.
Seed Starter Required: Recommended.
