Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- 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 soil in full sun. Will thrive in poor acid soil, and although lime-tolerant may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. Plant when small, they resent transplanting
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn and hardwood cuttings in midwinter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- 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.