Hibbertia stellaris (star guinea flower)

Japanese name: ヒベルティア ステラリス
Scientific name: Hibbertia stellaris

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 0.3–0.6 m in both height and spread, found in wetlands and similar places in its native range.
The stems are often tinged with red.
Leaves are linear to spatulate, 1.5–2.5 cm long and 0.1–0.3 cm wide, with entire margins.
It flowers all year round as long as the temperature allows.
The flowers are borne singly at the branch tips or in the leaf axils; they are orange, 5-petaled, and about 1 cm across, though on the northern side of its range some plants bear slightly yellowish flowers.
The petal tips are 2-lobed.
It flowers very freely.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by layering.
Seed has a low germination rate.
It has low cold hardiness, but tolerates light frost.
Although it grows wild in wetlands, in cultivation it needs well-drained soil, and prefers a sunny, well-drained, acidic sandy soil.
It tolerates partial shade, but flowering is poor if the site lacks sun.
It is resistant to summer heat but dislikes heat and humidity, so it is best kept on the dry side in a well-ventilated place.
During the rainy season and the long autumn rains, move it to a place sheltered from rain.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; reduce watering in winter.
Apply slow-release fertilizer as base fertilizer, and in spring and autumn also apply liquid fertilizer twice a month.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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