Scientific Name: KENNEDIA coccinea
Common Name: Coral Creeper
Alternative Common Name: Coral Vine
Family: Fabaceae
Height: If supported, up to 2m (7′)
Width: If on ground, up to 2m (7′)
Description: A very showy evergreen climber, hanging vine or ground cover with slender, twining, rust-coloured stems and branches and soft green leathery foliage.
Flowers: Masses of coral pink, orange to deep red flowers in Spring on erect stems from which they fan out in a dense cluster.
Soil: Any soil type including limestone and sandy soils.
Aspects: Easy to grow. Full sun to shaded positions. Tolerates dry spells-best if watered occasionally. In Cold and Frost-prone Areas, sow in a glasshouse or after risk of frost has passed.
Habitat: Adapts well to all habitats. Grows throughout Australia, including Tasmania.
Growing: Soak seeds overnight in cup of hot (not boiling) water. Drain the cup and remove swollen seeds for sowing. Unswollen seeds can be soaked again in hot water until swollen. Fill small pots with moist, sandy soil. Sow 2 or 3 of the swollen seeds 6mm (1/4″) deep into each pot. Keep soil moist. Cover pots with clear polythene to preserve warmth and moisture. Place pots in warm, shaded position.
Landscape: An attractive and useful plant in open gardens, rockeries, balconies, courtyards or patios. Fabulous as dense ground cover, or in large hanging baskets or elevated pots, trellis or tubs. If supported, makes a good vine.
Cultivation: Germination usually takes between 1 and 8 weeks. Remove the polythene when germination starts. Protect seedlings from snails. Transplant to garden, pots, tubs or large baskets once seedlings are about 7-8cm (3″) high. Water in well, water regularly until established then occasionally in dry weather.
Seed Starter Required: Recommended.
