We would appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written. This description of Hardenbergia 'Happy Wanderer' is based on our research and our observations of this plant growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We also grow other varieties of Hardenbergia violacea such as 'Canoelands' and 'Mini Haha' and in the past have grown 'Meema' as well as another species, Hardenbergia comptoniana. The Australian aboriginal name for it is Waraburra. Because the long, carrot-like root was reportedly used as a substitute for sarsparilla by Australian aboriginal bushmen, it also has the common names Australian Sarsparilla and False Sarsaparilla. Other common names include Purple Coral Pea, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac. It’s a tough little number in the pea family from eastern Australia that lays low all year, unnoticed, in hard-scrabble conditions in chain-link-fenced yards, then bursts into improbably purple bloom late winter. The specific epithet is in reference to the typical color of the flower. This smallish evergreen vine, also known as the Happy Wanderer, is in bloom around town, always a surprising sight for February. The name for the genus honors Franziska Countess von Hardenberg, sister of the Baron Karl von Hugel, a 19th century Austrian patron of botany who collected plants while on an expedition to Australia in 1833. Glycine is the genus of the related soy bean (Glycine max) and this plant was later combined with Hardenbergia, a name Bentham used in 1837 when describing Hardenbergia ovata. It was first described (as Glycine violacea) by the Dutch botanist George Voorhelm Schneevoogt in Icones Plantarum Rariorum in 1793 from cultivated plants that were thought to be from seeds collected in the Sydney area in the first few years of that settlement. The species Hardenberia violacea is widespread through much of Australia and can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Tasmania where it grows from along the coast to up in the mountains, often as an understory in forests and amongst shrubs where it can sprawl up on and around other plants. Responds well to pruning and hard pruning can reinvigorate older plants. Hardy to around 23° F and short duration dips to slightly lower – expect severe damage if temperatures drop below 20 F. Tolerates and even prefers heavy soil so long as it drains well. Plant in sun or light shade in hot inland areas. Pinkish-purple flowers with a chartreuse spot in center cascade like small Wisteria blossoms in the winter to early spring. In warm environments, it grows as an evergreen and can reach 50 feet (15 m.) in length.
It is not particularly cold hardy, and can only live outdoors in USDA zones 9-11 (in zone 9 it may require protection from frost).
Simple, oblong (2-4 inches) leaves clothe these stems. It is native to southeast Australia, where it thrives in rocky soils. Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer' (Purple Vine Lilac) - An evergreen vine that climbs by twining stems to 12-16 feet. Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer' - Purple Vine Lilac Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer' at San Marcos Growers