The native hibiscus - Alyogyne huegelii - is no longer included in the hibiscus family, but is still known by this name. This intense purple form is 'West Coast Gem'. It's native to Western and South Australia. A white form is also available, with some nurseries stocking a pink variety and various cultivars. The flowers are attractive to honeyeaters, the seeds to seed-eating birds and the plants relatively pest-free. This variety makes a good hedging plant, specimen plant and can also be grown in a pot. Propagation from cuttings is usually successful or from seeds, which should be slightly abraded before planting to speed up germination. These plants grow naturally on poor, sandy soils and require no watering once established. Alyogyne huegelii is very sensitive to phosphorous, so leave the fertiliser in your shed. This plant died off, but then sprang back to life the following spring. I've allowed it it get too leggy - they grow very quickly - and hard pruning following flowering will result in a more compact bush with more flowers, so I'll try that this year. They can attain a height and width of 2 and a half metres. I can discern little fragrance from these blooms. The petals and roots are reportedly edible, but I could find no mention of Indigenous uses of the plant. If you know, do please share.
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February 2019
January - Grass Tree
February - Kangaroo Apple - Large-leaf Grevillea March - Silver Banksia April - Drooping Sheoak May - Correa June - Grevillea July - Buddleja August - Sundews September - Native Hibiscus October - Running Postman November - Hakea December - Sticky Hop Bush |