Hibbertia hypericoides
yellow buttercups
Overview
Hibbertia hypericoides is a small evergreen shrub in the guinea-flower family, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and about as wide, with an erect to low-spreading habit. The narrow leaves are 0.2-0.8 inch (5-20 mm) long, sometimes with inrolled margins and a covering of short hairs. From late winter through spring, yellow flowers 0.8-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across open singly along the stems, each with five broad petals surrounding a central cluster of stamens. Scattered flowers can appear at other times of year. The species grows in jarrah forest, woodland, and sandplain heath of southwestern Western Australia, on sandy and gravelly soils that drain freely. It resprouts after fire from a woody base and also regenerates from seed, making it a common part of recovering bushland. The shrub tends to be short-lived in rich or damp soils and grows more reliably on lean, sharply drained ground. It is also sensitive to heavy phosphorus, like many Western Australian natives. Its compact size and yellow spring flowers suit sandy native borders, rockeries, and low informal plantings, though it is not long-lived and is usually replaced every few years.
Native Range
Hibbertia hypericoides is native to southwestern Western Australia, where it is widespread in jarrah forest, banksia woodland, and sandplain heath. It grows on sandy and lateritic gravelly soils, often in open, sunny positions.Suggested Uses
Grown in sandy native borders, rockeries, and low informal plantings with other Western Australian shrubs. The yellow spring flowers suit cottage-style native beds and slopes needing low cover. A short lifespan and need for sharp drainage limit its use in rich or heavy soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering is heaviest from late winter through spring, mainly July to November in its native range. Yellow five-petalled flowers open singly along the stems. Scattered flowers can also appear outside the main season in mild conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Hibbertia hypericoides in full sun to light shade on sandy or gravelly, sharply drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Water during establishment, then sparingly, as the shrub tolerates dry summers and is intolerant of waterlogged soil. Use low-phosphorus or native fertiliser, since high phosphorus can damage the roots. Light tip pruning after flowering keeps the plant compact. In humid or heavy-soil gardens, a raised, gritty bed gives more reliable results than open ground.Pruning
Prune lightly after the main flowering flush to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Tip pruning of young growth builds density. Cutting into bare old wood is slow to reshoot, so pruning is kept to leafy stems.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons