Real World Gardener Running Postman is Plant of the Week

PLANT OF THE WEEK <p>Scientific Name:Kennedia rubicunda; </p> <p>Common name: Dusky Coral Pea, Running Postman</p> <p>Family: Fabaceae</p> Etymology:Kennedia...after John Kennedy, an English nurseryman rubicunda...referring to the colour of the flowers Flowering: Spring with pea like flowers, that is, a standard of 4 petals, a keel and two wings. Grows: 3m high x 3m wide Suitable as a trellis climber or covering embankments. Bird attracting. <a href='https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trcxfrJlQio/XwwcaC_rnaI/AAAAAAAAiao/CtSTI0EHdgg_hn6bamrOKU4ZZNyCIGAdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kennedia_rubicunda_RBGK.jpg'></a> Kennedia rubicunda This next plant is a climber as we have been taking about climbers for a couple of weeks.  It’s got these attractive scarlet to pink flowers but what else?  Let’s find out…   <p>I'm talking with Adrian O’Malley, qualified horticulturist and native plant expert. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> PLAY: Kennedia rubicunda_8th July 2020  The running postman title is probably because of the red flowers that appear on this fairly vigorous vine or creeper.  Did you also know though that it’s a very useful medicinal plant to grow?  Apparently its leaves were bruised and drunk as a tincture when recovering from illness. Don’t know what sort of illness though.  <p> </p> Use it as a groundcover, for arches, teepees and vine supports.  some will say that it's happy growing in a pot.  I can't be sure about that. Dusky Coral Pea does best in full sun but will tolerate part shade.  <p class="separator"><a href='https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2GioR8pr7M/XwweoJBa7tI/AAAAAAAAia8/yghxqUjKa9MwPa7Yc_Yo56bDq0CyykPsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kennedia%2B3.jpg'></a></p> It needs to be protected from frosts. There is another cultivar Kennedia nigricans that Adrian and Marianne mention. This has black and yellow coloured flowers.  A cultivar known as Kennedia nigricans 'Minstrel' was registered with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority by Goldup Nursery of Mount Evelyn, Victoria in September 1985. This cultivar w