I can’t help but think of chorizo when I see this plant. In fact, its name is derived from the Greek for ‘separate/to divide’ which is… chorizo! And, nema meaning ‘thread’; this refers to the stamens which are separate. Cordatum is for the heart-shaped leaves.

A small shrub (to about 1m) native to southern WA. Naturally found in forests, it does well in shaded parts of the garden, rockeries, or even in a pot on the deck. It will tolerate full sun, but will need mulching and regular watering as they are quite shallow rooted. It grows naturally in sandy well drained soil, but does well in heavier soils too. A shaded location will typically provide protection from frost. If planted in a open environment, it may need some protection from frosts.

Though not long-lived, profuse pea flowers in hot pink, orange and yellow bring the wow factor. And, you can collect the seed. Once it has finished flowering, give it a good prune to keep it looking neat and full, otherwise it will tend to become scraggly. If you are wanting to collect seeds, delay pruning until the seeds have been harvested.

Like other members of the pea family, the Chorizema has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it a living fertilizer or green manure crop. Consequently, in WA they often germinate quickly after fire to help stabilise the soil and provide nitrogen. They will still appreciate some native fertiliser when buds form, but don’t go too overboard.