Everyone is, completely understandably, swooning over the Illawarra Flame Trees this week. They are looking absolutely amazing, or at least some of them are (the stubborn little cutie in our back garden is putting on its usual chary display, with a few red blossoms beneath a thick covering of leaves).

But they don't need all the attention, when so many other plants are flowering well but missing out on the limelight. Here's one of my favourites, the Hop Goodenia, a tough low shrub that's studded with yellow flowers in spring.

Hop Goodenia is a versatile and resilient shrub.

In this region it can be found in sunny patches in woodland and forested areas, on a range of soil types, including quite near the coast where it's exposed to harsh conditions. It can take a while to settle into gardens, and I've lost a couple through over-zealous watering. But really, it's pretty tough!

The plants that Wollongong Council has planted along Cabbage Tree Creek in Guest Park are doing outstandingly well despite the current warm, dry and windy conditions. 

This might not seem like the right time to be adding plants into local gardens, parks or natural areas. It's hot, dry and windy. But if you are considering adding a plant or two, Hop Goodenia could be a good choice.

As well as being very hardy and versatile, it's a good plant to attract native and introduced pollinators, and also functions as a nectar plant for some of the local butterflies such as the Meadow Argus. Right now it's easier to spot than usual because it's flowering so well. 

Emma Rooksby is the co-ordinator of Growing Illawarra Natives