Cytisus scoparius

RHS Plant Profile

common broom

RHS

Other common names

beesom, besom, green broom, Scotch broom, Scots broom, banhadlen

Synonyms

Genista scoparia
Spartium scoparium
Sarothamnus scoparius
Sarothamnus vulgaris

Shrubs

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Upright, deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall, with slender green shoots bearing small bright green leaves composed of 3 leaflets, and clusters of pea-like bright butter-yellow flowers, appearing from the leaf axils, in late spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Cytisus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, ranging from prostrate to erect and almost tree-like, with small, simple or 3-parted leaves and pea-like flowers spring or summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun with a little shelter from cold drying winds; broom thrives in poor acid soils and may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. Plant when young, resents transplanting

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 3. Do not cut into old wood

Pests

May be susceptible to broom gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus