Hibbertia aspera

The Hibbertia aspera, sometimes called the Yellow Guinea Flower, deserves to be better known among gardeners. It is a small, creeping bush that is slightly frost-tolerant but not demanding, and covers itself in gold in spring. Its long stems, adorned with dense foliage, form a beautiful carpet or cascade if planted at a higher level, for example above a wall. Perfectly suited to warmer climates, it performs very well by the seaside, in full sun or partial shade. Gardeners in colder regions can plant it in a container or a wide hanging basket that will be stored indoors during winter to protect it from frost.

The Hibbertia aspera belongs to the Dilleniaceae family. This species is native to Australia, specifically southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, and the state of Victoria. In the wild, this plant is found in open forests or heathlands, always in Mediterranean climate areas. It is a small bush with long branches that are more or less upright or trailing, with a rather prostrate habit. Eventually, its growth reaches 30 to 50 cm (11.8 to 19.7 in) in height and covers about 1 m² of ground. The stems are hairy to downy, and they bear numerous small oblong to lanceolate leaves, rough-textured, with ciliate edges, measuring 3 to 18 mm (0.1 to 0.7 in) long and 2 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) wide. Their upper surface, slightly glossy, is dark green. The generous flowering occurs from April to June, earlier or later depending on the climate. It consists of small flowers measuring 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter, usually solitary or clustered in groups of 3, in the axils of the leaves. Each flower is composed of 5 bright yellow petals with notched edges.

The Hibbertia aspera can be grown in open ground in mild climates. If planted in a well-draining soil, such as in a rockery, slope, or on a wall, its can regrow from the base after a short frost of around -8 to -10°C. And it is when placed at a higher level that it will be best showcased. It can be paired with other creeping or trailing plants such as Convolvulus sabatius, which bloom around the same time, or with Silver Carpet, Aubrieta, or Creeping Plumbago. In very mild climates, it can be planted with a caper plant. This Yellow Guinea Flower also forms a beautiful ground cover at the base of deciduous or evergreen shrubs that are not too dense.