Pandorea is one of Australia's most beautiful and reliable native climbing plants — and one of the most underused. For gardeners who need fast, dense coverage on a trellis, fence, or pergola but want something more romantic and ornamental than plain screening foliage, Pandorea delivers the ideal combination: glossy, dark evergreen leaves, masses of elegant trumpet-shaped flowers from spring through to autumn, and a genuinely vigorous climbing habit that establishes rapidly and covers large structures with minimal intervention.
The genus Pandorea belongs to the Bignoniaceae family — the same botanical family as the spectacular Jacaranda and Trumpet Vine (Campsis) — and its flowers have the unmistakable trumpet-flared form that characterises this family. All Pandorea species are native to Australia (primarily eastern Australia) and parts of South-East Asia, and all have evolved to climb through forest edges and shrubs using their twining stems and pinnate leaves to reach the light. In the garden, they translate this natural behaviour into rapid, productive coverage of any suitable support structure.
Our collection of seven Pandorea varieties represents the two main garden species: Pandorea jasminoides (Bower of Beauty / Bower Vine) and Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine). These two species have notably different flower forms and scales — jasminoides produces large, showy individual trumpet flowers in pink or white; pandorana produces masses of smaller tubular flowers in creamy-white, golden, or white tones that collectively create a spectacular display. Understanding this distinction helps choose the right Pandorea for your purpose.
Pandorea jasminoides vs Pandorea pandorana — which should you choose?
Our horticultural team describes the choice between the two species as the difference between 'jewellery and wallpaper' — both are beautiful, but they create quite different visual effects. Pandorea jasminoides (Bower Vine) produces individual large trumpet flowers in pink or white with contrasting dark throats — each flower is a distinct, impressive ornamental feature. It grows to 4–6m and suits trellises, arbours, and pergolas where individual flowers will be viewed at close range. Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine) produces masses of smaller flowers in cream, white, or gold that completely cover the plant during its spring-summer flush — a spectacular massed display but without the individual flower drama of jasminoides. It grows larger (5–8m+) and creates denser coverage, making it better for large fences and screens. For romantic garden design and close-range ornamental impact: jasminoides. For rapid, dense coverage with seasonal colour spectacle: pandorana.
Our 7 Pandorea varieties — expert descriptions
Bower of Beauty
Pandorea jasminoides 'Bower of Beauty'
Best for: Romantic trellises, arbours, pergolas, garden fences
Height: 4–6m
Flower: Soft pink, deep magenta throat
Season: Spring–autumn (main flush spring)
Key trait: The classic — most popular and romantic
The original and most widely planted Pandorea in Australian gardens — Bower of Beauty produces soft pink trumpet flowers with a deep magenta-pink throat in a combination that creates a romantic, feminine effect unlike anything else available in native climbing plants. The flowers are produced from spring through to autumn in successive flushes, with the heaviest display in spring. Growing to 4–6m on glossy, pinnate evergreen foliage, it is outstanding on trellises, arbours, pergolas, and fences where the individual flowers can be appreciated. Moderately frost-hardy. Our team's top recommendation for the most popular and reliable Pandorea for Australian gardens. Available from $22.95.
Lady Di
Pandorea jasminoides 'Lady Di'
Best for: White garden schemes, formal designs, elegant feature
Height: 4–6m
Flower: Pure white, magenta-pink throat
Season: Spring–autumn
Key trait: Purest white jasminoides — elegant and crisp
The pure white form of Pandorea jasminoides — Lady Di produces large, pristine white trumpet flowers with a contrasting deep magenta-pink throat that makes the flowers appear almost to glow against the dark green foliage. Growing to the same 4–6m as Bower of Beauty with the same growth habit and care requirements, Lady Di is the first choice for white garden schemes, formal designs, and any planting where a crisp white flower is the priority. It pairs exceptionally well with purple-flowering climbers such as Hardenbergia and with silver-foliaged companion plants at the base. Available from $22.95.
Rosea Superba
Pandorea jasminoides 'Rosea Superba'
Best for: Colour feature, warm-toned garden designs
Height: 4–6m
Flower: Deep pink to rose, dark centre
Season: Spring–autumn
Key trait: Most intensely pigmented jasminoides
The deepest-coloured jasminoides variety in our range — Rosea Superba produces large, richly pigmented deep pink to rose-pink flowers with a dark contrasting centre. The colour intensity is noticeably greater than Bower of Beauty, making it the choice when maximum colour impact in the jasminoides group is the priority. It has the same vigorous 4–6m habit as the other jasminoides varieties and the same spring-through-autumn flowering season. The deeper pink tones complement warm-coloured paving and timber structures particularly well. Available from $22.95.
Wonga Wonga Vine
Pandorea pandorana
Best for: Large fences, screens, pergolas, mass coverage
Height: 5–8m+
Flower: Cream-pink, dark-spotted throat
Season: Spring–summer
Key trait: Most vigorous — best for large-scale coverage
Australia's most vigorous native climbing plant for large-scale coverage — Wonga Wonga Vine grows to 5–8m or more on a well-supported structure, producing masses of small cream to pale pink tubular flowers with dark red-brown spots inside the throat during spring and early summer. The scale of the spring flower display, combined with the dense, glossy pinnate foliage, makes it outstanding for covering large fences, pergolas, and boundary screens. The small size of individual flowers is more than compensated for by the sheer profusion — a mature plant in full spring flower is covered so completely that the foliage becomes almost invisible. Excellent habitat plant for birds and insects. Available from $19.95.
Pandorana Alba (White Wonga Wonga)
Pandorea pandorana 'Alba'
Best for: Elegant white coverage, native gardens, large fences
Height: 5–8m
Flower: Creamy white clusters
Season: Spring–summer
Key trait: White pandorana — softer native coverage
The white-flowered form of Wonga Wonga Vine — Pandorana Alba produces masses of creamy white tubular flowers in spring and summer that collectively create an elegant, soft-toned display on a vigorous 5–8m plant. The white flowers are complemented by the same dense, glossy dark green pinnate foliage as the standard pandorana, and the plant provides excellent screening coverage. More subtle in colour impact than the jasminoides varieties but outstanding as a softly effective native climber for fences and large pergolas. Attracts bees and nectar-feeding birds. Available from $19.95.
How to grow Pandorea in Australia — expert care guide
Pandorea is one of the most rewarding and low-maintenance native climbers for Australian gardens. Here is our complete care guide:
•Position: Full sun to partial shade. Pandorea jasminoides varieties produce the best flowering in full sun but perform acceptably in partial shade. Pandorea pandorana varieties are the more shade-tolerant species and are a good choice for dappled light positions such as under tree canopies or on south-facing fences. Avoid deep shade — flowering will be minimal and the plant will become thin and straggly.
•Support: Pandorea is a twining climber — it wraps its stems around supporting structures rather than clinging with adhesive pads or tendrils. Provide a trellis, wire mesh, rope system, or sturdy fence before planting. The support should be installed before or at planting time, not added later. Wires should be spaced at maximum 30cm apart to allow new stems to reach and grip easily. Fan the initial growth across the support from the start to build a broad, even coverage framework.
•Soil: Well-drained to moderately moist soil. Pandorea is adaptable to sandy, loamy, and light clay soils provided drainage is reasonable. It does not tolerate consistently waterlogged conditions. Enrich with compost at planting time. Soil pH of 5.5–7.0 is suitable.
•Watering: Water regularly for the first 12 weeks after planting to establish roots. Once established, Pandorea is moderately drought-tolerant. During extended summer dry periods, deep watering once a week is beneficial and maintains flowering and foliage quality. Container-grown plants require more regular watering than in-ground plants.
•Fertilising: Apply a balanced slow-release native plant fertiliser in spring as growth begins. One application per year is sufficient for established plants — Pandorea does not require heavy feeding. Do not use high-phosphorus standard fertilisers — as a Bignoniaceae family member, Pandorea benefits from a native-specific or phosphorus-moderate fertiliser.
•Pruning: Prune lightly after the main flowering season — in late spring to early summer for pandorana varieties, or in autumn for jasminoides after the last flowering flush. Remove any dead, damaged, or excessively tangled growth. Pandorea responds well to moderate pruning for shape control and to prevent the plant from becoming too heavy on its support structure. Do not cut back into bare, old wood — new growth emerges from younger stems.
•Frost tolerance: Pandorea jasminoides handles light frosts (down to about -3°C briefly) but is damaged by heavy frosts. In frost-prone areas (ACT, alpine VIC, highland NSW), plant in a sheltered position against a north or north-west facing wall that provides some thermal protection in winter. Pandorea pandorana is slightly more frost-hardy than jasminoides. In all cases, established plants recover from light frost damage better than newly planted ones.
•Pest and disease: Pandorea is generally trouble-free. Scale insects can occasionally appear on stems — treat with white oil. Caterpillars (particularly Emperor Gum Moth larvae) sometimes feed on foliage but rarely cause lasting damage in a healthy established plant. Fungal issues can occur in very humid, poorly ventilated positions — ensure good air circulation around the plant, particularly between the vine and a solid wall or fence.
Why buy Pandorea from Online Plants?
•30-day guarantee to grow on every plant
•Australia's first and largest online nursery — 20+ years native climber delivery expertise
•7 varieties across both jasminoides and pandorana species
•Delivery to VIC, NSW, QLD, SA and ACT — metropolitan and regional areas
Yes — Pandorea is an Australian native climbing plant, endemic primarily to eastern Australia. It belongs to the family Bignoniaceae — the same botanical family as the ornamental Jacaranda, Trumpet Vine (Campsis), and the Cat's Claw Vine (Macfadyena). There are approximately 6 species in the Pandorea genus, all native to Australia and parts of South-East Asia. The most widely grown garden species are Pandorea jasminoides (Bower of Beauty, Bower Vine) and Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine). Both are vigorous evergreen climbers with pinnate leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers, but they differ notably in flower size, colour range, and growth vigour.
What is the difference between Pandorea jasminoides and Pandorea pandorana?
These are the two main garden species of Pandorea and they have distinctly different characters. Pandorea jasminoides (Bower Vine) produces large, showy individual trumpet flowers in pink or white with contrasting dark throats — each flower is a distinct ornamental feature, and the plant grows to 4–6m. Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine) produces masses of smaller tubular flowers in cream, white, or golden tones that collectively cover the plant during the spring-summer flowering season — the display is spectacular in its profusion rather than in individual flower form. Pandorana also grows larger (to 5–8m or more) and creates denser coverage, making it better for large-scale screening. For ornamental flower impact at close range: jasminoides. For rapid, dense, large-scale coverage with seasonal colour: pandorana.
How fast does Pandorea grow in Australia?
Pandorea is considered a fast to very fast-growing climber in suitable Australian conditions. Pandorea pandorana (Wonga Wonga Vine) is the faster species, commonly growing 1–2m per year in the first few years after establishment and potentially reaching 5–8m+ within 3–5 years. Pandorea jasminoides varieties grow slightly more moderately — typically 80cm–1.5m per year in good conditions. Growth rate is significantly accelerated by full sun, regular watering during the first two summers, and a well-prepared planting position with adequate organic matter. On a suitable trellis or fence with adequate sun and moisture, Pandorea provides meaningful coverage within 12–18 months of planting from a standard pot.
Can Pandorea grow in shade?
Pandorea is one of the more shade-tolerant native climbers available for Australian gardens — particularly the pandorana species. Pandorea pandorana varieties (Wonga Wonga Vine, Alba, Wonga Gold, Snowbells) tolerate dappled shade and part-shade positions well, though flowering will reduce compared to full sun. Snowbells is the variety our team most often recommends for shaded trellises and south-facing fences where other climbers struggle. Pandorea jasminoides varieties (Bower of Beauty, Lady Di, Rosea Superba) prefer more sun and will have noticeably reduced flowering in heavily shaded positions. No Pandorea variety will perform well in deep, permanent shade — some direct sunlight daily is needed for sustainable plant health.
How do I prune Pandorea and when?
Prune Pandorea lightly after the main flowering period: for pandorana varieties (which flower in spring-summer), prune in late summer or early autumn; for jasminoides varieties (which flower spring through autumn), prune in late autumn after the last flowering flush. Remove dead, damaged, or excessively tangled growth, and trim back any stems that have grown beyond the desired boundary. Pandorea responds well to moderate shaping and can be kept within bounds with annual trimming. The key rule is not to cut back into old, bare, woody stems — new growth emerges from younger stems with foliage. Pandorea does not need hard annual pruning like some other climbers; regular light trimming is more effective than occasional severe cutting.
