Also known as Guinea Flower · 4 saves
Hibbertia
Hibbertia, the genus most gardeners know as guinea flower. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Hibbertia varieties
3 species of Hibbertia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Hibbertia in Sow
Save the Hibbertia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Hibbertia
Whats common across all Hibbertia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Hibbertia year
- PruneSeptember and October100% of varieties
Trim wandering stems to control vigorous growth and prevent smothering of neighbouring plants.
- FertilizeMarch and April67% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly to encourage spring growth.
- Check for PestsJune and July67% of varieties
Inspect stems and leaf undersides for scale insects and apply horticultural oil if necessary.
- PlantSeptember67% of varieties
Plant new shrubs in spring or early fall; ensure good drainage.
Do
- Train young stems horizontally along supports early to encourage dense coverage.
- Ensure the soil drains freely to prevent root issues.
- Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly if required.
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
Avoid
- Do not prune hard into old, bare, leafless woody stems.
- Do not plant in permanently boggy or waterlogged ground.
- Do not allow the vigorous stems to escape into nearby native bushland.
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Hibbertia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Small, raised brown or white bumps on stems and leaf undersides, sometimes accompanied by sooty mould. | Remove manually for minor infestations, or apply horticultural oil during cooler parts of the day. |
| Chewing insects | Irregular holes or notches along leaf margins. | Monitor the plant and manually remove the pests if the damage becomes visually significant. |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Satin-green Forester moth larvae | Chewed foliage and damaged flower buds on new growth. | Monitor plants regularly and hand-pick larvae if damage becomes visually unacceptable, though they are a native species. |
| Root rot | Foliage yellowing, wilting, and rapid plant decline despite moist soil. | Plant only in free-draining soil and avoid overwatering or planting in boggy areas. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Pale, wilting leaves, stem dieback, and collar rot near the soil line. | Ensure high drainage by planting in sandy soil or raising the planting area on a 15-20 cm mound. |
Making more Hibbertia
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 10-15 cm cuttings from firm, current-season growth with active pink tips.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top two or three pairs.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-drained propagation mix of coarse sand and peat.
- Keep the mix moist and place in a warm, humid, semi-shaded position until roots establish.
Seed
- Sow seeds in well-draining soil in early spring.
- Keep soil moist and place in indirect sunlight.
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks.
Hibbertia questions
How many types of Hibbertia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Hibbertia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 4 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Hibbertia grow in?
Across its varieties, Hibbertia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hibbertia bloom?
Most Hibbertia varieties bloom in late winter to summer, late spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hibbertia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.