West Coast Gem Native Hibiscus

West Coast Gem Native Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii 'West Coast Gem') is a big, rounded Australian shrub, 2 to 2.5m tall and 1.5 to 2m wide. Through the warmer months it is covered in satiny, deep purple flowers, darker than the species form. It makes a good native alternative to tibouchina and has proved itself in Australian gardens over many years.

Why you'll love it

• Deep purple blooms. Large, spiralling flowers with a silky sheen open from late spring and keep coming through the warm months.
• Frilled petals. The petals stay overlapped as each flower opens, which gives a ruffled look.
• A native alternative. It offers the same big-flower impact as tibouchina or the exotic hibiscus 'Blue Bird', with the toughness of a native for dry coastal gardens.
• Room to spread. It grows larger than the smaller native hibiscus varieties, so it suits informal hedging and flowering beds in a bigger garden.
• Evergreen in warm places. In warm climates it holds its lobed leaves through the year.

Where it works best

Informal hedging. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row for a loose, flowering hedge. The shrubs touch within a couple of seasons, and a hard prune after flowering keeps the line dense.

Flowering beds. Use it as a large backdrop shrub in a mixed bed. The purple flowers pair well with silver foliage and white flowers.

Sheltered coastal gardens. It suits sunny, sheltered coastal positions and sandy soils, but not exposed, wind-blasted frontage.

Growing West Coast Gem Native Hibiscus in Australia

Position and climate. Plant it in sun with some shelter. It thrives in dry climates and copes with humid subtropical gardens where there is good airflow and the soil drains well. Protect it from hard or prolonged frost.

Soil. Free draining soil is the key requirement, and sandy ground suits it. In humid areas, open planting that lets air move through matters most.

Water and feed. Mulch well and water regularly for the first three months, then only in dry periods. Refresh the mulch each spring and apply a low phosphorus, slow release native fertiliser before buds form.

Pruning. Prune hard after flowering to keep the shrub bushy and promote next year's flowers. The individual blooms are short lived, as with exotic hibiscus, but they arrive in quantity.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell West Coast Gem Native Hibiscus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock arrives as a small shrub that grows away well once settled in sun. Larger pots give a faster start for a hedge line. Our grower supplies the tube stock, and supply is not constant. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at that moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.

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
• More hibiscus for the garden
• Drought tolerant plants
• The low maintenance native garden guide

Common questions

How far apart for an informal hedge?

Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. That suits the 1.5 to 2m spread and lets the shrubs join into a loose flowering screen.

Is it the same as Swan River hibiscus?

It is sometimes sold under the name 'Swan River'. It is deeper in colour than the species form.

Does it keep its leaves in winter?

In warm climates it is evergreen. Give it a sunny, sheltered spot and protection from hard, prolonged frost.