Hardy Shrub and Ground Cover for Tropical Climate: Kennedia
BY WIKILAWN | OCTOBER 19TH, 2012 | CREEPERS, DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS, FLOWERS, FOLIAGE PLANT, GROUND COVER, OUTDOOR, SHRUBS AND BUSHES, ZONE 10A, ZONE 10B, ZONE 8A, ZONE 8B, ZONE 9A, ZONE 9BKennedia is a small genus of small shrubs and woody climbers from tropical and subtropical climate of Australia. These useful plants are grown for their lovely and unusual flowers of red color. Kennedia originates from tropical and summer rainfall regions and thus are quite hardy to heat and spells of drought. Most species grow easily in temperate climate where they spread quickly and become good choice for covering the ground, fences or hedges. Kennedias can be grown easily from seeds. Young plants require moist yet well-drained soil, however, mature plants can withstand long spells of drought.

Kennedia prostrata/ Image via flickr
Popular species of Kennedia include:
Kennedia prostrate: Low-growing plant suitable as ground cover or hanging plant. Propagation is easy from seed. The plant produces showy frequent red flowers when grown under bright sunlight.
Kennedia rubicunda: Twining creeper that grows up to 5 meters and produces showy red flowers in spring and summer.