This South Australian native groundcover might easily be overlooked until it flowers (which, happily, it does for most of the year) Running Postman - Kennedia prostrata - is variously described as a herb and as a legume and can thrive in poor soil with no maintenance, as long as the drainage is good and frosts not too severe, and it improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. These plants support a range of insects, including the caterpillars of native butterflies and moths. Aboriginal use includes drinking the flower's nectar and using the stems as twine. It's also a useful plant for stabilising soil, such as on embankments, in rockeries and is just as happy in a pot. It will climb up to a metre and spread to cover about 3 metres. I haven't tried propagating this - but it can be done from cuttings, which are said to strike readily, or from seed (which needs to be pre-treated with boiling water before drying and sowing). A subtle, but useful addition to the garden and quite attractive with the contrasting flowers and foliage. Running Postman - an Australian native that delivers.
1 Comment
Marion May Campbell
5/10/2018 02:08:40 am
What poetry in the name and in the discreet darting fire of this runner. How gorgeous!
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Archives
February 2019
January - Grass Tree
February - Kangaroo Apple - Large-leaf Grevillea March - Silver Banksia April - Drooping Sheoak May - Correa June - Grevillea July - Buddleja August - Sundews September - Native Hibiscus October - Running Postman November - Hakea December - Sticky Hop Bush |