Kennedia prostrata
running postman
K. prostrata is a ground-hugging trailer with softly hairy stems radiating from a woody rootstock. The evergreen leaves are made up of three leathery, wavy-margined leaflets and the flowers, which appear in spring, summer and sometimes autumn, are bright red and pea-like
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
Kennedia can be herbaceous or woody, twining climbers with trifoliate leaves and pea-like flowers which may be solitary, in pairs, umbels or racemes in the leaf axils
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
In frost-free areas grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold drying winds. Alternatively grow under glass in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in bright, filtered light. Good in hanging baskets
Propagation
Propagate by seed or from softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly under glass
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.