Claremont McKenna College

Landscape Profile

Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea)

Featured this month is one of our special winter blooming plants on campus. Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea) is planted on the north side of Phillips patio behind the carpet roses.

It is a quiet little vine that does well in partial shade. It offers very attractive lavender blooms this time of year. Hardenbergia grows rapidly and makes an attractive background plant even when not in bloom. It comes from Australia where it is native to the low elevations similar to California and Arizona.

Sunset Garden Book comments that Hardenbergia can "create a light, delicate pattern against the surfaces of low walls, fences, screens and arches over gates." Or it "can also be pegged down as a ground cover."

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