Gold standard

Story by AB Bishop

Native guinea flowers flourish across all climates. AB Bishop showcases some standouts.

Move over wattles: there’s another green-and-gold native charmer stealing the spotlight: the glorious guinea flower! From mat-forming groundcovers to small shrubs and the occasional climber, guinea flowers (Hibbertia spp.) come in a huge range of forms. With their mid-green leaves and buttercup-yellow blooms, they may seem same-same, but look closer and their individuality shines through. Here are a couple of examples.

Hairy guinea flower (H. vestita)
Hairy guinea flower (below, left) comes in two great garden forms – a compact 30cm shrub and a low, matting groundcover (var. thymifolia), which has a thyme-like appearance. Its small, glossy, oblong leaves make the perfect background for the crinkle-petalled flowers. It’s suitable for growing in subtropical and warm temperate climates.

Star guinea flower (H. stellaris)
With heart-shaped petals, the rich saffron blooms that blanket this small shrub (below, right) are its standout feature. Red-tinged stems and fine green foliage add contrast – a fair trade for its short (one- to two-year) life. Found in winter-wet swamps, it dislikes humid summers. Perfect for containers, it pairs beautifully with the blue-flowering morning iris (Orthrosanthus multiflorus). It’s suitable for growing in arid, warm temperate and cold temperate climates.