Chorizema
( koh- RIZ - em - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationAlso called Flame Pea, Chorizema is a genus of evergreen shrubs that needs little to moderate water, and can grow in a variety of light exposures but blooms best in areas with partial shade. These shrubs grow to be between 2 and 5 feet tall and produce flowers that mimic those of Sweet Pea. They are fast-growing, and have slender, graceful branches that are perfect for spilling out of containers or over bank walls. Can be kept compact through pinching. They are hardy to 24 degrees Fahrenheit and produce blooms mainly in winter and springtime. Use these colorful bloomers in mixed beds and borders, or plant them in pots to brighten up patios or walkways.
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chorizema Species and Varietals
Chorizema is a genus of around 18 species of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. The genus includes both sub-shrub and climbing varieties. It was given a name in 1792 by French naturalist Jaques-Julien Houtou de Labillardiere, who used the Greek words for separate or divide (chorizo) and thread (nema). Flame Pea grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 15-17 and 19-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Chorizema aciculare (Needle-Leaved Chorizema, Painted Chorizema, Needle Pea) This species, native to southwestern Western Australia, forms an erect or sprawling shrub with sharply pointed leaves. Flowers can range in color from white to pink, pale yellow, or orange. Individual plants reach up to about 3.3 feet tall when mature. |
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Chorizema cordatum (Heart-Leaf Flame Pea, Kaly, Australian Flame Pea, Bush Flame) This species is native to Western Australia, and grows to be 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity. Leaves are dark green and heart-shaped, and flowers are bicolored orange and magenta. It forms a scrambling shrub and is widely cultivated as a garden ornamental. A yellow-flowered form is sometimes available. |
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Chorizema spp. Hybrid (Bush Flame, Hybrid Flame Pea) This hybrid is a cross between Chorizema cordata and Chorizema varium (or Chorizema illicifolium). Grows to 2-3 feet high, and more than 3 feet wide. Orange-pink sprays of flowers bloom in late winter to early spring. These hybrids have a spreading, sprawling habit. Foliage is green to dark green and leathery. |
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Chorizema ilicifolium (Holly Flame Pea) This species of Chorizema is native to Australia, and produces green leaves with pointed margins that have a similar look to the foliage on Holly plants. Flowers are bicolored yellow-orange and red-pink. Blooms are present between the months of July and October in the plant's native range. |
Caring for chorizema
Flame Peas can be purchased as starts from a reputable nursery, and seed can also be ordered and sown indoors for planting out in spring or fall. Grow Flame Pea in full sun to light shade; ideally these sprawling plants appreciate around 6 hours of sun each day, though in warmer climates they appreciate some shade in the late afternoon when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Flower color will be brighter in shaded areas; Chorizema make great understory plants. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. When mature, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, but will need some extra water during elongated periods of dry weather. As a general rule of thumb, water when the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. These plants can be allowed to dry out between waterings.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Do not overfertilize, as this will harm the shrub and typically encourage foliage growth over flower production. Chorizema are considered easy-care plants, and respond well to pinching when they are young to encourage a bushier habit. After flowers fade, the plant can be rejuvenated for the next season by pruning back old wood. These plants will bloom primarily on new wood, so there is no risk of taking off next year's blooms. These shrubs are considered short-lived perennials, surviving for about 4-6 years in the garden before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Chorizema in Containers
Chorizema shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Chorizema plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Do not overfertilize, as this will harm the shrub and typically encourage foliage growth over flower production. Chorizema are considered easy-care plants, and respond well to pinching when they are young to encourage a bushier habit. After flowers fade, the plant can be rejuvenated for the next season by pruning back old wood. These plants will bloom primarily on new wood, so there is no risk of taking off next year's blooms. These shrubs are considered short-lived perennials, surviving for about 4-6 years in the garden before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Chorizema in Containers
Chorizema shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Chorizema plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Chorizema can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Flame Pea, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Chorizema by Cutting
Propagating Chorizema by Seed
Propagating Chorizema by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated Abutilon, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Chorizema by Seed
- Keep in mind that the Flame Pea plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. Collect as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area until you are ready to sow them in spring or fall.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-30 days from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
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The seeds produced by Flame Pea shrubs are very small, and are typically very dark brown to black in color. |
Problems and Pests
Chorizema shrubs typically do not suffer from any pest or disease problems in home landscapes. To investigate commonly encountered pests and diseases in home gardens, consult the following pages:
Gallery
Use Chorizema shrubs to add color to rock gardens.
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The flowers of a Flame Pea shrub are striking when admired from a close perspective.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 242, Chorizema
