Groundswell™ Guinea Flower

Groundswell Guinea Flower (Hibbertia scandens) is a tidy, spreading native groundcover bred by Ozbreed to be less rambling than the common form. It stays under 450mm high, spreads up to 2m wide and carries dark green foliage studded with bright yellow flowers. It is tough enough for coastal wind, sandy soil, drought and moderate frosts.

Why you'll love it

• Tidier than the common form. Ozbreed selected it for compact, less rambling growth, so it is easier to keep in bounds than the Hibbertia scandens most gardeners know.
• Yellow flowers through the year. Bright yellow flowers show against the dark green leaves sporadically all year, with the best display in the warmer months.
• Tough in hard places. It is drought tolerant, salt tolerant and happy in sandy soil, and it was selected to cope with moderate frosts and extreme summer heat.
• Good for wildlife. Bees, butterflies and lizards all use it, which makes it a natural fit for native and cottage gardens.
• Little upkeep. Pruning is needed only every one to five years, depending on how formal you want the bed to look.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant one to two plants per square metre, which means 70cm to 1m apart. Closer spacing knits the bed together sooner, wider spacing stretches a pack further. A pack of 10 covers 5 to 10 square metres.

Banks and erosion control. The spreading growth covers bare soil quickly, and Ozbreed lists embankments and erosion control among its uses.

Coastal gardens. It is salt tolerant and at home in sandy soil, and Ozbreed recommends it for coastal landscapes, including foredunes.

Courtyards, roadsides and containers. It softens paving edges, suits low maintenance verges and spills over the rim of a large pot.

Growing Groundswell Guinea Flower in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists it for New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT, so it suits subtropical, temperate, cool and Mediterranean gardens. It was selected to handle moderate frosts and extreme summer conditions.

Soil. It prefers well drained sandy soil, though it tolerates heavier soils and periodic flooding. On clay, plant it slightly proud of the surrounding ground so water drains away from the crown.

Water and feed. Water as needed for 8 to 13 weeks until established, then leave it to the weather in all but long dry spells. Mulch well to hold moisture around young plants. It rarely needs feeding, and if growth is slow a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring is enough.

Pruning. Prune every one to five years, depending on how tidy you want the bed to look. A light trim to shape is plenty, and an unpruned plant simply looks a little looser.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Groundswell Guinea Flower in 140mm pots in packs of 10. At one to two plants per square metre, a pack covers 5 to 10 square metres. Plants arrive ready to plant straight away. Expect a few quiet weeks while the roots settle, then steady spreading growth through the warmer months.

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 more groundcover plants
• More Australian native plants
• Salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens
• See the full Ozbreed range

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 70cm to 1m apart, which is one to two plants per square metre. Use 70cm for a quicker cover and 1m if you are happy to wait.

Is it a climber?

Groundswell is the low, spreading form, under 450mm high. If you want an upright or climbing habit, look at Straightup, a different selection of the same species grown for trellises and fences.

Does it cope with frost and heat?

Yes. It was selected to handle moderate frosts and extreme summer conditions, so it suits most of southern and eastern Australia.