Goodia

Family: Papilionaceae
Common Name: Golden Tip, Clover Bush, Yellow Pea

This genus of three species of native Australian open shrubs is fast growing. They have yellow or orange pea flowers and soft foliage. The plants are unfortunately not likely to be avail-able outside Australia.

Species

G. lotifolia, golden tip or clover bush, is a tall, vigorous, suckering plant, to 2.5 m (8 ft), which is suitable as a specimen, but can also be trimmed into a hedge. The spring blooms make attractive cut flowers, but are not long lasting. The light green foliage may be poi­sonous to stock. After some years of cultivation, G. lotifolia forms a thicket some metres in width and needs pruning for good flowering and shape. It recovers from trimming quickly.

G. pubescens is a small, rounded shrub, to 1 m (3 ft), with yellow flowers in spring and summer, and fine, downy foliage.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, these Australian natives need to be grown in a cool, airy greenhouse or conservatory. Grow in pots of well-drained, soil-based potting compost, or in a soil bed, and provide maximum light. Outdoors the drought-resistant goodias will do well in almost any sunny situation. Propagate from seed, which germinates very easily.

Climate

Zone 9.