Ulex europaeus

RHS Plant Profile

common gorse

Mike L. Grant 1998

Other common names

European furze, French furze, furze, gorse, Irish gorse, thorn broom, whin

Shrubs

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A bushy evergreen shrub with very spiny much-branched stems and solitary coconut-scented bright yellow flowers 2cm in length, mainly in winter and spring, followed by slender black seed-pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Ulex are spiny evergreen shrubs with very spiny branches bearing small, simple leaves that soon fall, and often fragrant, yellow, pea-like flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W & C Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor sandy soil in full sun. Will become leggy in rich soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 10, every 2-3 years

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility