Genista pilosa 'Procumbens'

RHS Plant Profile
creeping broom
creeping broom John Fielding
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

A prostrate deciduous shrub to 20cm high, with spreading branches and small, dark green leaves with a silvery covering of fine hairs beneath. Produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 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
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Genista are deciduous, sometimes spiny, shrubs or small trees with small, simple or trifoliate leaves and solitary, racemose or clustered, pea-like yellow flowers which are sometimes fragrant
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Ideal for a rock garden or alpine house

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring, or by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 1; do not cut back into old wood

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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