Hibbertia scandens is an incredible Australian plant that sometimes goes by the common name snake vine or guinea flower. It usually flowers well through the warmer months, but the two varieties listed in this article will generally have at least a couple of flowers all year. We’ve been very impressed with their flowering even in the middle of winter with decent frost on the Ozbreed farm over the last few years.
These flowers are beloved by indigenous bees and beetles, but are generally left alone by European stinging honeybees. The ‘fruits’ (technically a juicy seed aril) are eaten by beneficial ants that perform a similar ecological role to eathworms when it’s dry and, while I haven’t seen any research or evidence for this hunch, I suspect fruit-eating birds would have a go at them as well.
Ozbreed’s head breeder Todd Layt bred these two varieties in a similar way to how nature would have selected them: hundreds or even thousands of seedlings did not tolerate the extreme stress that Todd put them through and so they died. Out of the survivors, Todd was able to select two genuine stand-out forms.
One of them grows extremely flat and is useful as a groundcover, though it will climb structures where allowed. The other one has a more upright form better suited for climbing that will grow as an upright shrub if you don’t support it, and does not spread along the ground. The option you choose will depend on whether you’re looking for a climber or a rambling groundcover form.
Hibbertia scandens ‘HBS01’ PBR Trade Name Groundswell™
Prostrate snake vine with bright yellow flowers; excellent groundcover for rockeries and banks
- The Plant Hub: 50 mm tube; $6.90. https://theplanthub.com.au/products/groundswell
Hibbertia scandens ‘HBS02’ PBR Intended Trade Name Straightup™
Upright form of snake vine with slender stems and golden flowers; suitable for narrow fencelines and screens
- The Plant Hub: 50 mm tube; $6.90. https://theplanthub.com.au/products/straight-up
Conclusion
These two hibbertias will add year-round lush green foliage and bright yellow flowers, brightening up the moods of anyone visiting the garden. If you’re looking for a groundcover, go for Groundswell™ Hibbertia. If you’re looking for a climber, go for StraightUp™ Hibbertia.