Hibbertia obtusifolia (grey guinea flower)

1 / 15

Hibbertia spp.

guinea-flowers

Dilleniaceae

Australia, with species in Madagascar, New Guinea, and New Caledonia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Hibbertia spp. is a genus of about 150 to 400 species of evergreen shrubs and woody climbers in the family Dilleniaceae, known as guinea-flowers, with the great majority native to Australia and a few in Madagascar, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. Plants range from low, spreading or mat-forming shrubs to twining climbers and upright bushes 1 to 10 feet (0.3 to 3 m) tall or long. The leaves are usually small, narrow, and leathery, sometimes crowded along wiry stems. From late winter through summer the plants carry five-petalled yellow flowers, rarely orange, that open flat and resemble buttercups, with a central cluster of many stamens. Some species flower heavily over a long season, while others bloom briefly. Hibbertia spp. grows in heath, sclerophyll woodland, coastal scrub, and sandy or rocky ground, mostly on lean, well-drained, acidic soils. The genus includes H. scandens, a vigorous climbing guinea flower grown over fences and banks, and many low shrubs used as groundcovers in Australian gardens. The flowers of some species carry an unpleasant scent that draws pollinating insects. Most species are frost-tender and grow outdoors in mild, nearly frost-free climates.

Native Range

Hibbertia spp. is native mainly to Australia, where it grows across most regions in heath, woodland, and coastal scrub, with additional species in Madagascar, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Plants grow on lean, sandy or rocky, acidic soils. H. scandens ranges along the eastern Australian coast.

Suggested Uses

Low and spreading species are grown as groundcovers, in rockeries, and over banks and walls, while H. scandens and other climbers are trained on fences and trellises. Compact kinds are used in containers and coastal gardens. The genus suits low-water, low-phosphorus Australian native plantings.

How to Identify

Recognize Hibbertia spp. by its yellow, five-petalled flowers that open flat like a buttercup, with a central tuft of many stamens, set on shrubs or twining stems with small, leathery leaves. The petals are often notched at the tip and drop soon after opening. Climbing species twine over supports, while others form low, wiry mounds. The mostly Australian range and yellow flowers help separate the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 10'

Width/Spread1' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Hibbertia spp. flowers from late winter through spring and summer, with the heaviest bloom in spring in most species. The flat yellow flowers open over many weeks, a few at a time. In mild climates some species flower on and off through much of the year.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, rarely orange

Foliage Description

green to dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 2 to 4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Hibbertia spp. species grow in full sun to light shade on lean, sharply drained, sandy or gravelly, acidic soils low in phosphorus. As plants of nutrient-poor ground, they are sensitive to phosphorus and grow poorly with standard high-phosphorus fertilizers. They tolerate drought once established but flower more freely with occasional summer water. Most are frost-tender and grow outdoors year-round only in mild, nearly frost-free climates, with container culture used in colder areas. Light, regular trimming keeps shrubby kinds dense and climbers in bounds. Root rot follows wet, heavy, or poorly drained soil.

Pruning

Hibbertia spp. is trimmed lightly after the main flush of flowering to keep shrubby species compact and to contain climbers. The plants tolerate regular clipping and resprout from the stems. Hard pruning into bare old wood is avoided, as some species are slow to reshoot from it.

Pruning Schedule

summer