Little Polly Sweet Pea Shrub

Little Polly Sweet Pea Shrub (Polygala x dalmaisiana 'Little Polly') is a neat, rounded evergreen that grows to about 1m high and 1m wide. Sweet pea shaped purple flowers cover it through spring and summer against soft grey-green foliage, so a small shrub delivers months of colour. Use it in beds, borders and pots, or clip it into a low flowering hedge in any frost free garden.

Why you'll love it

• Months of purple flowers. The pea shaped blooms open right through spring and summer, so the colour lasts for months rather than weeks.
• A tidy, rounded mound. The habit is naturally compact at about 1m by 1m, so it looks neat with very little shaping.
• Soft grey-green foliage. The leaves stay calm and fresh between flushes of flower and set off brighter plants beside it.
• Many uses in one plant. It suits beds, borders, containers and low hedging, so one plant choice covers several spots in the garden.
• Forgiving about position. Full sun gives the most flower, but it tolerates some shade with fewer blooms.

Where it works best

Low flowering hedges. Plant 70cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the mounds meet within a couple of seasons and clip into a flowering hedge about 1m high, or lower if you prefer.

Borders and beds. Repeat it every metre or so along a path, or tuck it in front of taller shrubs, where the rounded shape and purple flowers lift the front of the bed.

Pots and containers. A large pot with quality potting mix suits it well. Container plants run out of nutrients faster than garden plants, so keep the controlled release feeding going.

Growing Little Polly Sweet Pea Shrub in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun suits it best, and it will tolerate some shade, though flowering may be reduced. It is a plant for frost free gardens, so it belongs in subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates. Where frost is a risk, grow it in a pot and move it under cover on cold nights.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter, digging in compost beforehand. On heavy clay, plant on a low mound so water drains away from the roots.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well after planting and through the first summer. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser three times a year to keep the flowers coming.

Pruning. Trim at the beginning of spring to promote compact growth and flowering. A light clip is enough, and it keeps the mound tight and full.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Little Polly Sweet Pea Shrub as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to plant a hedge of any length, while the potted packs arrive with more branching and give a border or hedge line a head start. Expect a young, leafy plant that has yet to reach its full display, and allow a season for it to settle and fill out.

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

• Compare more hedging plants
• Low hedge plants under one metre for front gardens
• More flowering plants for colour
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a low hedge?

Plant 70cm apart in a single row. The mounds are about 1m wide at maturity, so they meet and merge into a continuous line without crowding each other.

Will it cope with frost?

It is best suited to frost free gardens. In districts with frost, grow it in a pot and move it under cover on cold nights, or choose a hardier shrub for the open garden.

When and how should I prune it?

Trim at the beginning of spring. A light clip keeps growth compact and encourages flowers.