Cytisus multiflorus

RHS Plant Profile
white Spanish broom

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white Spanish broom RHS
white Spanish broom Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

Portugal laburnum, white broom

Synonyms

Cytisus albus (Lam.) Link

Shrubs

An erect, medium-sized deciduous shrub with slender, greyish shoots bearing small creamy-white flowers in great profusion in late spring and early summer

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
2–5 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
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

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably acid soil in full sun. Suitable for rock garden or raised bed. Resents transplanting and may become chlorotic on particularly shallow, chalky soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or autumn or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 3. Do not cut into old wood

Pests

May be susceptible to broom gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus