Sutherlandia frutescens

RHS Plant Profile
balloon pea

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balloon pea Dorling Kindersley 2003
balloon pea RHS 1999
balloon pea RHS 1999

Other common names

Cape bladder senna, duck plant

Synonyms

Sutherlandia frutescens

Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse
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An evergreen shrub with slender stems bearing pinnate, grey-green leaves with narrowly oblong leaflets, and racemes of bright red, pea-like flowers 3-5cm in length, followed by pink-tinged, bladdery seed capsules to 5cm in length

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of around 62 species of mainly perennial herbs or subshrubs in the legume family, native to eastern and southern Africa. They have narrow, silvery grey-green divided leaflets and racemes of bright orange to red pea-like flowers followed by inflated, papery seeds
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand, in full light. During growth, water moderately, keeping the compost just moist and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter or during the dormant season. Can be grown outdoors in a frost-free, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Dry soils are tolerated

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15°C in spring or strike semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, both with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8. May require restrictive pruning in late winter when grown under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to earwigs and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free