Alyogyne Huegelii (Blue Hibiscus)

Alyogyne

( al - ly - oh - GY - nee )

At-A-Glance Information

Alyogyne, commonly called Blue Hibiscus, is a small genus of flowering plants related to Hibiscus. They are endemic to Australia, and form shrubs with many branches clothed in green to dark green foliage. These shrubs bloom on-and-off year round, and individual purple to creamy yellow flowers last for between 2 and 3 days. Plants can be pinched or pruned to keep their shape and to create a bushier habit. Alyogyne plants typically do well as container shrubs or patio trees, making them quite useful across many gardening situations. Use these shrubs to add color to borders, to cover walls or eyesores, or as additions to low-water use landscapes.

Alyogyne Species and Varietals

The genus Alyogyne belongs to the Malvaceae plant family, and there are currently just two recognized species. Blue Hibiscus can be found growing wild all along the coastline of Western Australia, and was first described in publication in the 1966 journal Australian Plants. These shrubs grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 13-17, 20-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Alyogyne hakeifolia (Native Hibiscus, Desert Rose, Red-Centered Hibiscus)
This species forms an erect shrub up to 10 feet tall that is densely covered in linear, almost needle-like leaves. It is a rapidly growing shrub, flowering between the months of May and August. Flowers vary in color from blue and purple to cream-yellow. All flowers will become deeply colored and papery after they fade. Centers of flowers are typically deep or bright red.

Alyogyne huegelii (Blue Hibiscus, Lilac Hibiscus, Native Hibiscus)
more commonly known as Blue Hibiscus or Lilac Hibiscus, is a shrub native to Australia. The species is named to honor Baron Karl Alexander von Hugel, a 19th century Austrian botanist. This species forms an upright shrubby plant reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are dark, rough-textured and green. Flowers resemble those on the Hibiscus bush and can reach up to four inches across.

'Santa Cruz'

'Monterey Bay'

'Mood Indigo'

'Leon's Purple Delight'

'White Swan'

caring for alyogyne

Plant your Alyogyne in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall growth. When these shrubs are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely and stems can become leggy. These shrubs can be damaged by strong winds, so in exposed areas provide a windbreak and/or support for young plants. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly 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. Blue Hibiscus grow well in sandy soils. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Check mulch coverage before the warmest parts of the summer to keep the soil cool and retain moisture, and before winter when roots can be harmed by frost. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Young shrubs will grow quickly to their mature size without the need for much supplemental water. At maturity, Blue Hibiscus is considered to be a drought-tolerant plant, able to get by for most of the year on rainwater alone with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Avoid overwatering Blue Hibiscus.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of an inch of compost around the base of shrubs. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning on a Blue Hibiscus is not necessary, but can be used to maintain a certain size and shape. Doing a light pruning on the ends of branches after the first bloom in springtime will encourage the plant to bloom again more profusely and rapidly. Blue Hibiscus can also tend to get a bit sparse on bottom branches if left unpruned; when this happens, prune them back hard and they should send out new shoots. On young plants, pinch growing tips to encourage a more bushy habit to form. Alyogyne shrubs are considered long-lived perennials, living for around 30 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Growing Alyogyne in Containers
Alyogyne, or Blue Hibiscus, can be grown in the ground or in containers. They are considered low-maintenance container plants, and do well in a well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of sand and perlite. Choose a container that is at least a few inches larger than the root ball of the shrub and has adequate drainage holes on the bottom. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly. Once established, Alyogyne in containers are still considered to be drought tolerant, but will need more frequent waterings than their in-ground counterparts. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. On young plants, pinch growing tips to encourage a more bushy habit to form. Prune lightly after the first bloom of springtime to encourage a second flowering, and prune sparse shrubs back hard to encourage a bushier habit to form.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Blue Hibiscus is through cuttings. You will need clean, sharp garden shears, a pencil, organic potting soil, rooting hormone powder, and a few gallon-size pots. Follow the instructions below to propagate your Blue Hibiscus.

The morning after the plant receives water in the springtime, take cuttings from new growth without flowers or buds about 4-6 inches long with clean, sharp garden shears. Pinch off all but the top 2 leaves. If the cutting has any hard wood on it (part of the stem that is not green), scrape off the bark with your fingernail.
Fill your pot with organic potting soil and give it water, ensuring that it drains well. Use your pencil to make holes for your cuttings about two inches apart.
Dip your cuttings in rooting hormone, and place them in the holes. Fill in the holes so that the cuttings stay upright, but don't pack down the soil too much. Place your pot with cuttings in a cool place (between 55 and 70 degrees) in your home or greenhouse that receives bright indirect light. Water when soil gets dry; keep it moist, but not wet.
In around four to six weeks, you should see new growth on the cuttings. Once new leaves start growing, the cuttings can be transplanted into their own individual pots filled with organic potting soil. Keep them in the same area, and after the last frost of the following spring, they can be planted outdoors.

Problems and pests

Alyogyne plants are known for being easy-care plantings with little pest and disease issues, though they can run into problems with the following common garden ailments: