Parochetus communis subsp. africanus

RHS Plant Profile

shamrock pea

Synonyms

Parochetus communis misapplied
Parochetus africanus

Conservatory Greenhouse

A mat-forming evergreen perennial to 10cm tall, with clover-like leaves composed of three leaflets, each with a brown horseshoe mark; blue pea-flowers 2.5cm across are held just above the foliage from autumn to spring

Position

Full shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–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: Matforming
Genus: Parochetus can be evergreen or deciduous, trailing or prostrate perennials with clover-like, trifoliate leaves and bright blue, pea-like flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Ethiopia to S. Tropical Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in any moist, but well-drained soil in partial shade. To avoid winter wet, keep plants under glass. In an alpine house grow in equal parts peat-free John Innes No 2 compost, leaf mould and grit

Propagation

Propagate by division or separate rooted runners when the plant is in growth

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free