The twining, woody evergreen climbs slowly to ten to twelve feet tall and about five feet wide with long, grayish-green, leathery leaves with prominent veins. In early spring, the vine produces showy clusters of lavender-purple, pea-shaped blossoms that cascade down from the plant. Varieties are also available that produce white or pink blossoms.  Use this rambling plant on trellises, walls, arbors, or fences for its amazing early spring color show. There are many available cultivars of this plant. It is native to Australia, growing in sandy soils, forests, on rocky outcrops and in woodland areas.

This showy vine is hardy to twenty-three to twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit and takes full sun to light shade conditions, but prefers to grow on north facing walls. It tolerates most soils as long as they are well-draining. Apply light applications of ammonium phosphate fertilizer once or twice a year to keep it blooming and healthy. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, but do not allow it to dry out between watering cycles. Provide extra irrigation during the hot, dry seasons. It is also tolerant of wind and responds well to pruning, especially the older, mature plants. The purple coral pea needs some training and support if grown as a climbing vine.