Green Birdflower

Green Birdflower (Crotalaria cunninghamii) is an Australian native pea shrub with flowers that look like tiny green birds feeding along the stem. It grows 1 to 3m tall depending on conditions, and the large chartreuse clusters appear in winter and spring. It is a talking point in the garden, a draw for honeyeaters and a useful soil improver as well.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers that look like birds. Large chartreuse-green blooms line the central stem like small birds feeding, from winter into spring.
• A draw for birds. It is planted to attract honeyeaters and other birds into the garden.
• It feeds the soil. Like other native peas, it fixes nitrogen from the air into poor, impoverished soils.
• It holds banks and sand. The roots help bind sand dunes and soil banks, so it earns its place on erosion-prone ground.
• A genuine native. It grows naturally across much of the country, so it suits native gardens from the coast to the inland.

Where it works best

Native and bird gardens. Plant 1.5m apart in a sunny native bed, beside grevilleas, bottlebrushes and other nectar plants, and watch the honeyeaters work the flowers.

Poor soils and sandy banks. On low-fertility ground or a bank that needs holding, plant at the same 1.5m spacing and let the roots knit the soil together.

A conversation piece. One specimen near a path or seat shows off the unusual flowers close up. The seed pods that follow rattle, which is why the genus is known as rattlepod.

Growing Green Birdflower in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, protected from frost. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens. Where winters are frosty, grow young plants in a sheltered position against a warm wall, or in a pot that can come under cover.

Soil. Well-drained soil is essential, and sandy or poor soils suit it well. Avoid heavy clay and wet ground. Because it fixes its own nitrogen, it does not need rich soil.

Water and feed. Water young plants regularly through the first summer, then ease off. Established plants manage on little. Skip rich fertilisers, which only push soft growth on a plant that makes its own nitrogen.

Pruning. Prune old flowers and dead foliage regularly. Native peas tend to be short-lived, often lasting only a few years, so plan on a replacement before the original runs out of steam.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Green Birdflower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is supplied by our grower, so it is not always on hand. A sold out tube means the grower has none right now, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. Expect a small plant that needs a season or two to build up size before the flower display starts.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse Australian native plants
• Australian native shrubs
• Bird attracting plants
• Top bird-attracting native plants

Common questions

Why is it called a birdflower?

Each large chartreuse flower sits along the central stem and looks like a small green bird feeding on it, which is where the name comes from.

Is it safe for pets?

We do not list it as pet friendly. Plants in the rattlepod genus can be poisonous if eaten, so keep it away from animals and children that chew plants.

How long will it live?

Native peas tend to be short-lived, and this one often lasts only a few years. Prune old flowers and dead foliage regularly, and keep a replacement in mind.