Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Will thrive in poor, acid soil and, although lime-tolerant, may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. Plant when small as it resents transplanting
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn and hardwood cuttings in midwinter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Minimal pruning required but pruning group 1 or pruning group 3 if necessary. Do not cut into old wood
Pests
May be susceptible to broom gall mites
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.