Goodenia Ovata 'Edna Walling Coverup'

Hop Goodenia / Native Groundcover Goodenia

Botanical Name: Goodenia ovata ‘Edna Walling Coverup’
Family: Goodeniaceae
Origin: Australia (native)
Plant Type: Evergreen groundcover shrub

Overview

A vigorous, cascading Australian native groundcover, Goodenia ovata ‘Edna Walling Coverup’ thrives in Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, forming lush green mounds that spill beautifully over edges, rockeries, retaining walls, and native garden beds. It produces masses of bright golden-yellow fan-shaped flowers from spring to autumn, creating long-season colour and attracting beneficial wildlife. This variety grows exceptionally well in coastal, urban, and foothill gardens across South Australia, tolerating heat, seasonal dryness, wind, and a range of soils once established. It is a reliable, low-care choice for quick coverage and textural contrast in both full sun and part shade.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.2–0.4 m H × 1–2 m W – dense, trailing, ground-hugging habit
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under under Adelaide conditions
• Foliage: Soft, bright to mid-green leaves that may develop light bronze or yellow-green tints in cold or dry weather
• Flowers: Cheerful yellow fan-shaped flowers produced from spring through autumn; highly visible and nectar-rich. Flowers are not fragrant; foliage has a light herbal scent when crushed
  
• Seasonal Interest: Long flowering season from spring to late autumn, with evergreen foliage providing dependable year-round softness and colour at ground level
• Wildlife Value: Nectar-rich blooms attract native bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Dense growth offers shelter for small ground-dwelling fauna
• Tolerance: Handles drought once established, thrives in coastal areas, and tolerates heat, wind and reflective surroundings. Suits a wide range of SA soils, including sandy, loamy and clay-loam when improved. Light frost tolerant
• Planting Density: Groundcover: 1–2 plants per m² for rapid coverage; Trailing over walls/edges: plant 1 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to pets; safe for cats and dogs in domestic landscapes

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (flowers most in sun; tolerates dappled light)
• Soil: Prefers well-drained loam or sandy loam; adapts to clay-loam if drainage is improved with compost
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; little to no water needed in winter
• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance. Light trimming after flowering helps maintain density and shape. Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture. Apply a light native fertiliser in early spring only if growth becomes sparse. Responds well to rejuvenation pruning if needed
• Lifespan: 5–10+ years in suitable, well-drained South Australian conditions
• Climate Zones: Best in Mediterranean and temperate SA regions—including Adelaide plains, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, and sheltered sections of the Adelaide Hills
• Soil pH: Tolerates slightly acidic to moderately alkaline soils

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Mass planting for weed suppression and quick coverage
• Soft cascading plant for retaining walls, embankments, and rockeries
• Underplanting for native shrubs and small trees
• Native and waterwise gardens needing reliable colour
• Spillover groundcover for paths, verges, or informal cottage/native mixes

Why You Will Love It

A fast-growing, evergreen native groundcover that thrives in SA’s heat and dryness, ‘Edna Walling Coverup’ delivers months of golden blooms and lush cascading foliage with almost no fuss. Perfect for filling space, adding softness, and supporting pollinators in any Adelaide garden.