The Sweet Pea Bush
The Sweet Pea Bush is Polygala Grandiflora, a small shrub, bushy and compact growing, reaching around 2m in height with a similar spread. The common name comes from the masses of purple ‘sweet pea like’ flowers that begin in spring and continue through to autumn. Polygala myrtifolia ‘Grandiflora Nana’ is a lower growing or ‘dwarf’ species.
Growing conditions and Care
Growing well in full sun to part shade this is a hardy drought tolerant shrub once established. It does like a humus rich well drained soil and can be fertilised with a liquid seaweed fertiliser in spring to give it a boost. We have seen it grown as a standard ( ball on a stick). Useful in the garden border we have also seen Polygala Grandiflora used as a low informal hedge.
Polygala myrtifolia grandiflora Care
A little light pruning after the first flush of flowers seems to keep this in shape and promote a dense bushy habit. And the full name is Polygala myrtifolia ‘Grandiflora’, nurseries seem to drop the middle part for convenience. However it is ‘Grandiflora’ that has the large flowers as the name suggests.
Reasonably drought tolerant once established, with a medium to fast growth rate this spring flowering plant grows best in full sun.
Summary Information
- Evergreen
- Position – Full sun to a little afternoon shade.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Height – To around 1m.
- Spread – t0 1 – 1.5m
- Frost tolerance – Low.
- Flowering period – Spring through to Autumn depending on climate.
Problems.
- Scale – Polygala Grandiflora is susceptible to scale, this can be treated with a horticultural oil, Neem Oil is suitable..
