Last updated on September 15th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Common name
Creeping Bossiaea
Position
Part shade
Flower shape and colour
Pea like; Orange
Form
Prostrate
Suitability for landscaping
Groundcover for native landscapes, rockeries, parks and reserves. For weed-suppression and erosion control. Can be grown beneath other plants or in the open, suitable for embankments (BGofSA, Bossiaea prostrata)
Propagation
Propagation of Bossiaea seeds needs treatment before sowing. This is done by allowing the seeds, which have a hard seed coat, to stand in boiled water for 12 hours. The softened seeds then swell and are ready for sowing. The seeds are best sown in a mixture of three parts coarse sand and one part peat moss or similar. Seed, however, is not often available. Cuttings strike reasonably well from firm, current season’s growth. Australian Native Plants details propagation techniques for members of the Pea (Fabaceae) family of native plants.
(Howes, J, Clarke, Australian Plants Society, NSW; Fagg, Wrigley, 2013, p. 31)
Cultivation
Regular pruning beneficial. It is listed in the South Australian State Flora Catalogue p. 35.
References/Acknowledgements
- Atlas of Living Australia 2021, Bossiaea prostrata. Provides information about the spread of the species of ground cover across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and into Queensland.
- Botanic Gardens of South Australia 2021, Bossiaea prostrata | Creeping Bossiaea. Provides specific information about the species potential for cultivation in a garden.
- Howes, J, Clarke, D 2023, Bossiaea prostrata. Provides information about Bossiaea prostrata including information about propagation.
- Government of South Australia 2024, State Flora Nursery Catalogue, PDF provides a comprehensive list of South Australian Natives which can be purchased through the State Flora nursary.
- Molyneux, B, Forrester, S 2004, The Australian A-Z of Australian plants, New Holland (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sydney.
- Thompson, P 2012, Australian planting design, CSIRO, Sydney.
- Wrigley, J, Fagg, M 2013, Australian Native Plants, Reed New Holland, Sydney.