Running Postman

Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata) is the Australian native groundcover to reach for when you want colour at ground level and almost no maintenance. It sits about 15cm high and runs to roughly 2m across, so one plant covers real ground within a couple of seasons. Scarlet pea flowers open from late winter into spring above soft grey green foliage, and honeyeaters find them quickly.

Why you'll love it

• Fast cover from a small plant. Stems spread about 2m each, so a bare bank fills in without a nursery load of stock.
• Colour when little else is out. The display runs through the late winter gap, the leanest stretch of the gardening year.
• Genuinely tough. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, salt tolerant and content in poor sandy or gravelly ground.
• Food for native birds. Nectar sits at ground level, which draws honeyeaters and native bees into the lower garden.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 1m apart for a fast spreading groundcover. At that spacing the stems knit into continuous cover within two seasons.

Slopes and retaining walls. Fine roots hold loose soil while the stems trail over the edge, softening block work and stopping rain from scouring a batter.

Rockeries and coastal gardens. Salt and wind tolerance suit exposed seaside beds, and a gravel mulch keeps the stems dry underneath.

Growing Running Postman in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, though it accepts light shade. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. Humid tropical and subtropical summers are its limit, because the mat rots in wet heat, so northern gardeners should use a raised gravel bed.

Soil. Drainage matters far more than fertility. Sandy, gravelly and stony soils are ideal. On clay, build a raised mound and work coarse grit through the top 200mm rather than adding compost.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then rainfall carries it in most seasons. Like many natives it is phosphorus sensitive, so feed only if growth stalls, using a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Trim wandering stems back to the bed edge whenever they overstep. A harder cut after flowering clears tired growth and builds a denser mat.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: tube stock, and a 140mm pack of ten. Tubes are young single plants that establish quickly because the root system is undisturbed. The pack of ten is the practical choice for a bank or bed, covering around ten square metres at 1m spacing.

Plants travel packed upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a quiet three to four weeks while the roots move out, then running growth through the first warm spell. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to choose a groundcover for your conditions
• Browse the full groundcover range
• Shop Australian native plants
• More native plants with red flowers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

One metre apart in staggered rows. Closer planting costs more without closing the gap much faster, and wider spacing leaves bare patches through the first year.

Is it invasive?

No. It runs along the surface rather than suckering, and stray stems pull or cut away easily.

Will it grow in a humid subtropical garden?

It can, but only with sharp drainage and air movement. In a wet summer the centre of the mat may brown off, so raised beds and gravel mulch are worth the effort.

How long until it flowers?

Tube stock planted in autumn usually flowers in its first spring, and more heavily in the second year. Full sun makes the biggest difference to flower numbers.