Spartium junceum

RHS Plant Profile

Spanish broom

RHS 2002

Other common names

rush broom, weaver's broom

Shrubs

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A vigorous, medium-sized open shrub with erect green broom-like shoots bearing fragrant bright yellow flowers 2.5cm in length, in terminal racemes to 45cm in length

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Spartium are broom-like deciduous shrubs with slender green stems bearing sparse, small simple leaves and fragrant pea-like yellow flowers in terminal racemes in summer and early autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Azores to E. Medit.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives on poor, well-drained soils in exposed, sunny sites and can become leggy in sheltered positions. Good for coastal situations and chalk but is not fully hardy in the UK

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa