Straightup™ Guinea Flower

Straightup Guinea Flower (Hibbertia scandens) is the climbing, shrub like form of a much loved coastal native, bred by Ozbreed to grow upwards instead of sprawling. It reaches about 2m tall on a trellis, fence or stake, carries bright yellow flowers in the blooming season and often takes on purple foliage in winter. Pruned each year, it also holds a neat small shrub shape.

Why you'll love it

• Two habits in one. Train it up a trellis, fence or stake, or prune it yearly to keep a small shrub.
• Purple winter foliage. The leaves often turn purple in winter, which sets it apart from other forms of this popular coastal plant.
• Bright yellow flowers. Yellow flowers lift the dense foliage through the blooming season.
• Dense but compact. The habit is dense and slightly more compact than a typical climber, which makes it easier to place in a design.
• Tough once settled. It is highly drought tolerant and resilient in heat, humidity and moderate frosts, and it handles salt laden wind and periodic wet feet.

Where it works best

Fences, trellises and stakes. For climbing, plant three to four plants per linear metre, about 30cm apart, along the support. Guide the young stems onto it as they grow.

Groundcover. Without a support it works as a groundcover at one to two plants per square metre, which is 70cm to 1m apart.

Cottage, native and coastal gardens. Ozbreed recommends it for residential and commercial landscapes, and because it tolerates salt laden wind it suits coastal boundaries.

Growing Straightup Guinea Flower in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists it for the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales (particularly the Richmond area) and Queensland. It is resilient in heat, humidity and moderate frosts.

Soil. It enjoys sandy soil and copes with coastal conditions. Use a chunky mulch, and keep the crown of each plant at or above soil level, because a buried crown invites rot.

Water and feed. Water as needed for 8 to 13 weeks until established, after which it is highly drought tolerant. If growth needs a boost, apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune yearly for a tidy look, or every two years if you are growing it as a climber. Annual pruning is also how you keep it as a small shrub.

What to expect when it arrives

We list Straightup Guinea Flower in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is grown to order at times, so a size can show as backorder. Order it and we confirm timing with you before anything ships. At climbing density, a pack plants a trellis or fence about 3m long.

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 climbers
• Groundcover plants for open beds
• More Australian native plants
• See the full Ozbreed range

Common questions

Is it a climber or a shrub?

Both. It climbs to about 2m with support, and annual pruning holds it as a small shrub.

What happens to the foliage in winter?

Ozbreed notes that it often turns purple in winter, which sets it apart from other forms of Hibbertia scandens.

Does it need a trellis?

Only if you want it to climb. Without a support it can be planted as a groundcover, 70cm to 1m apart.