Re: Kennedia

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Pamela,
This is a rampantly growing Australian vine with quite vivid flowering, that is pretty hardy once it is established.  I've had it die on me, however, when I kept it a bit too long in the container before planting out, so it is very sensitive to drought stress in a container, similar to many Melaleucas and Leptosperums.  I would suggest going light on the fertilizers, use a time release type or organic slower releasing types such as cottonseed meal or alfalfa meal, and avoid phosphorus in the mix, as they are sensitive.  I wouldn't plant this next to anything that you don't want overgrown and entangled, as it is a fast grower once in the ground.  If you give it room to grow, pruning would only be to contain it or neaten it up.  It is commonly used here in California more as a ground cover than a vine for fences/walls, which would require a bit of training.  It prefers more acidic soil conditions, will this be a problem at your garden?  It also has a reputation for being somewhat short lived, but in flower it is pretty spectacular!  Here's a link to the info from the San Marcos Wholesale Nursery in Goleta, Ca., link:

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3451