Chorizema cordatum

RHS Plant Profile
Australian flame pea

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Australian flame pea RHS 1997

Other common names

flowering oak, heart-leaved flame pea

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs
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A bushy evergreen shrub to 1.2m in height, with spiny, heart-shaped dark green leaves and racemes of red, orange and yellow flowers 1.5cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Chorizema can be evergreen shrubs or climbers with simple, leathery leaves and terminal racemes of showy pea-like flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free potting compost with added sharp sand, in full light with shade from hot sun and good ventilation. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep just moist in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C, after soaking in warm water, in spring or by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 11 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free