Hibbertia Scandens
Hibbertia scandens (Willd.) Dryand.
Hibbertia scandens, the snake vine or climbing guinea flower, is a vigorous and adaptable Australian native climber bearing large, golden-yellow flowers with more than thirty stamens over a long spring to summer season. Hardy, salt-tolerant, and spectacularly floriferous, it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Dilleniaceae
Spring and summer (September to February); some spot flowers may appear at other times of the year; most prolific in full sun positions
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: goodenia ovatas and allamanda catharticas also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Hibbertia scandens has one of the oldest documented cultivation histories of any Australian native plant. It was among the earliest Australian plants to reach Europe, having been described and drawn by William Andrews in his Botanist's Repository in 1800, based on plants growing in British gardens. The genus Hibbertia was named in honour of George Hibbert, an English merchant and prominent patron of botany who maintained an extensive private botanic garden at Clapham in London during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and actively sponsored botanical exploration. The species name scandens comes from the Latin meaning "climbing," a direct description of the plant's twining habit. The common name "snake vine" refers to the way the plant's twining stems entwine and wind around each other and surrounding structures, resembling a snake. The name "guinea flower" and "golden guinea vine" evoke the large, round, gold-coloured flowers' resemblance to the historic British gold guinea coin, a comparison often used for Hibbertia species generally. The plant received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, the UK's most prestigious garden plant accolade, recognising its exceptional ornamental quality. It was also depicted on an Australian postage stamp in 1999 as part of a wildflowers series, confirming its status as a recognised and celebrated part of Australia's natural heritage.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; flowers most freely and prolifically in a sunny position; will grow in shade but flowers less
Water
Drought-tolerant once established; grows naturally on sand dunes and in very sandy soils with low water retention; mulch well after planting and water regularly until established (approximately 12 weeks); minimal supplementary watering thereafter
Soil
Sandy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Loam, Saline coastal sand, Adaptable to most soil types except permanently waterlogged
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in any well-drained soil including very sandy or clay soils in a sunny or partly shaded position
Provide a trellis, fence, or other support structure if a climbing habit is desired; allow to sprawl as a groundcover if no support is available
Drought-tolerant once established; requires minimal supplementary watering in most Australian climates
Prune by cutting back wayward stems that wander into unwanted places; the plant responds well to pruning and can be cut back hard if needed to renew growth
Propagate from semi-hardwood tip cuttings; this is the easiest and most reliable propagation method
Hardy to light frosts (down to approximately 5 degrees Celsius in brief cold snaps); requires protection from hard frosts and is not suited to cold inland climates
The seeds are enclosed in attractive bright orange to red seed capsules; note that the seeds can produce a burning sensation if handled and should not be eaten
Beetles (particularly Scarabaeidae) are the primary pollinators, though bees and flies also visit the flowers
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Climbing plant for wire fences, trellises, and pergolas
- Dense evergreen groundcover for slopes, banks, and large areas (spread up to 5 m wide)
- Erosion control on sandy slopes and coastal embankments
- Coastal and seaside garden planting; excellent tolerance of salt spray and sandy coastal soils
- Low informal hedge when regularly clipped
- Container growing with a trellis or support structure
- Featured on an Australian postage stamp in 1999
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hibbertia Scandens
Why is hibbertia scandens called snake vine?
The common name snake vine comes from the way the plant's twining stems wind and entwine themselves around each other and any nearby support structure, resembling a snake. The stems themselves are the "snakes." The alternative names "climbing guinea flower" and "golden guinea vine" refer to the large round golden flowers' resemblance to the historic British gold guinea coin.
Is hibbertia scandens frost-hardy?
It tolerates light frosts of short duration down to approximately 5 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for warm temperate and coastal gardens in southern Australia and similar climates internationally. It is not suited to areas with prolonged hard frosts. In the UK, where it has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, it is grown under glass in cool temperate regions.
How fast does snake vine grow?
Hibbertia scandens is a fast-growing vine once established. Its stems extend 2-5 m in length and it spreads up to 5 m wide as a groundcover. It establishes quickly in sandy soils and coastal conditions. Regular pruning to remove wayward stems is the main maintenance required to keep it tidy and in its allotted space.
Can hibbertia scandens grow as a groundcover?
Yes, it makes an excellent dense, evergreen groundcover when grown without a trellis or support. It spreads up to 5 m wide, grows to about 0.5-1 m high, and provides effective erosion control on sandy slopes and coastal banks. It is also used as a thick weed-suppressing groundcover in dry coastal gardens and can be grown in this way in large containers.
Does hibbertia scandens have a scent?
The flowers of Hibbertia scandens have been described as having a notable odour that some find unpleasant, compared to mothballs or a musky animal scent. This is not widely commented on as a negative in garden settings, where the large golden flowers and the plant's exceptional adaptability are its main attractions. The beetle pollinators that primarily pollinate it are attracted by this scent.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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