Hibbertia

( hib - BERT - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen shrubs (and a few vines), commonly known as Guinea Flower, is native to Australia, New Guinea, Fiji, Madagascar, and New Caledonia. They need full sun to partial shade and regular water to perform well in the garden. Hibbertia shrubs are grown for their attractive foliage and their bright yellow wild Rose-like flowers. They produce beautiful glossy green foliage and can be used as hedge plants, background greenery, in mixed beds or shrubberies, or as specimen plants in the landscape. Take care when planting these shrubs in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets.

Hibbertia Species and Varietals

The genus Hibbertia is a member of the plant family Dilleniaceae, and includes around 400 species. The best growing zones for Hibbertia are USDA hardiness zones 9-11. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hibbertia acerosa (Needle Leaved Guinea Flower)
These plants are native to Australia and take the form of low, spreading shrubs that reach up to 2 feet tall. Foliage is needle-like and green, and flowers are yellow, blooming between the months of July through February in the plant's native range. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Hibbertia aspera (Rough Guinea Flower)
This species is endemic to eastern areas of Australia, and forms an erect shrub with scrambling branches. Leaves are green and egg-shaped, and bright golden-yellow flowers bloom from September through December in the plant's native range. Individual plants can reach up to 1-2 feet tall and spread to reach 1.5 to 3 feet wide.

Hibbertia cuneiformis (Candollea cuneiformis) (Cut-Leaf Hibbertia)
This shrub species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12, 13 and 15-24. It reaches up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with polished, bright green leaves. Flowers appear in early spring on new growth. Prune this shrub after it flowers to control shape. This species requires very fast drainage for best performance and health, and can tolerate wind.

Hibbertia miniata (Orange Flower, Orange Hibbertia)
These small, multi-stemmed sprawling shrubs reach up to just over 3 feet tall when mature, and have a somewhat rounded habit. Green foliage is densely covered in grey hairs. Flowers are orange to reddish-orange, and bloom from August to November in the plant's native range in Western Australia.

Hibbertia mucronata (Prickly Hibbertia)
This species of Hibbertia forms a small erect shrub with hairy branches and thick, tapering linear dark green leaves. Flowers are small and yellow, held in leaf axils. Individual plants reach up to about 3.3 feet tall at maturity. Prickly Hibbertia grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Hibbertia scandens (Hibbertia volubilis) (Guinea Gold Vine, Snake Vine, Climbing Guinea Flower, Golden Guinea Vine)
This is a fast-growing vine that reaches 8-10 feet long with dark green, handsome foliage. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17 and 21-24 and blooms in blooms from spring through early fall. It is a great choice for smaller gardens if trained on a trellis or low fence. It can also be used as a groundcover. Thinning and pruning should be done in late fall or wintertime. Remove dead or damaged branches throughout the year as needed.

Caring for Hibbertia

Take care when planting these shrubs in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets. Plant your Hibbertia in full sun or partial shade; the more sunlight these plants get, the better they will flower. Plants grown in dimmer light will also have a more compact form and have a slower growth habit. Ensure that soil is well-draining and somewhat fertile before installation. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Hibbertias prefer soil to have a pH of between 6.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic). Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate somewhat consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season.

Cut back vines in late winter or early springtime, removing dead, damaged, diseased, or errant stems. For shrubby species, lightly shape and prune to maintain size. Hibbertia shrubs and vines can tolerate short periods of light frost and drought, but will need good protection from prolonged drought and extended low temperatures. Plants can be grown in containers and relocated during inclement weather, or they can be covered with frost cloth during the cooler months of the year in areas with frequent low temperatures over winter. Fertilize Clematis plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base.

Propagation

Hibbertia plants can be propagated most easily using stem cuttings. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hibbertia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.