Alba Native Hibiscus

Alba Native Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii 'Alba') is a mounding Australian shrub that grows 2 to 2.5m tall and wide. From late spring through summer it carries big, satin-textured white flowers above attractively lobed leaves. It is a native with the bloom of an exotic hibiscus, and it is easy to grow once settled in.

Why you'll love it

• Silky white flowers. Large, satin-white blooms open from late spring into summer, and they are produced in abundance.
• A real native. It comes from Western Australia and South Australia, so it suits native gardens and dry-climate planting.
• Drought tolerant. Once established, it thrives in dry climates with little extra water.
• Lobed foliage. The interestingly lobed leaves add texture when the plant is not in flower.
• Versatile. It works as a feature plant, a flowering border or a cottage garden shrub, and it is happy in sandy soils.

Where it works best

Feature planting. A single plant makes a bright centrepiece, with 2m of clear space around it for the full spread.

Flowering borders and cottage gardens. Plant it at the back of a border where its 2.5m height has room. The white flowers sit well against dark foliage and under-plantings of purple or blue.

Native gardens and sheltered coastal sites. It suits a sunny, sheltered position near the coast, and sandy soils suit it too. Avoid exposed, wind-blasted frontage.

Growing Alba Native Hibiscus in Australia

Position and climate. Give it sun and shelter from strong wind. Dry climates suit it best, but it also copes with humid subtropical gardens if air moves freely around it and the soil drains well. Cover young plants in hard or long frosts.

Soil. Good drainage matters more than richness. Sandy soils suit it well, and in humid regions airflow around the plant is just as important.

Water and feed. Mulch around the plant and water it deeply for its first three months while the roots establish. After that, water in dry spells. Top up the mulch each spring and feed with a slow release fertiliser made for natives, low in phosphorus, before the buds form.

Pruning. Cut it back hard straight after flowering. That encourages dense, bushy growth and sets up next year's flowers. Each bloom is short lived, as with exotic hibiscus, but the plant keeps producing new ones.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Alba Native Hibiscus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock arrives as a small shrub and grows away well once established in a sunny spot. Plant it in well drained soil, mulch around it, and water regularly for the first 12 weeks. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse Australian native shrubs
• Drought tolerant plants
• The low maintenance native garden guide
• Plants for coastal areas

Common questions

When should I prune it?

Straight after flowering. Prune hard to keep it dense and bushy, and to get more flowers next year.

Do the flowers last long?

Not individually. Like exotic hibiscus, each bloom is short lived, but the plant produces them in abundance through late spring and summer.

Will it grow in humid gardens?

Yes in subtropical gardens, provided there is good airflow and the soil drains freely. It is happiest in dry climates.