Cytisus x praecox
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cytisus x praecox f. albus
- Cytisus x praecox f. luteus
- Cytisus x praecox luteus
- Genista x praecox
- Phonetic Spelling
- SY-tiss-us PRAY-koks
- Description
-
Cytisus x praecox or Scotch Broom is a hybrid cross between Cytisus multiforus x Cytisus x oromediterraneus. It is a dense, arching, many-stemmed, flowering shrub in the bean family (Fabaceae) that may be either deciduous or evergreen, depending upon the climate. This shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall, 4 to 6 feet wide, with clusters of showy, yellow, pea-like flowers in the late spring. This shrub has small, sparse, green, simple leaves that are present briefly, and grayish-green stems that provide winter interest.
Thrives in full sun and tolerates most any type of well-drained soil. It is tolerant of dry soils, poor soils, salt, and drought. Annual pruning after flowering is recommended. Best propagated by cuttings in the late summer.
Lots of very showy yellow flowers in mid-spring will add a pop of color to your lawn or garden. It may be used as a screen, hedge, or border planting. Mass plantings along a bank or slope would be eye-catching.
Quick ID Hints:
- Stems are green and ridged, but not twisted
- Yellow, fragrant, pea-like flowers are present along stems in mid-spring
- Leaves are mostly simple
- This plant is a twiggy, mounded shrub with arching stems
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alba'
compact, small white blooms mid to late spring - 'Allgold'
deep yellow flowers, taller than parent - 'Gold Spear'
bright yellow flowers, smaller than parent - 'Hollandia'
2 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 6 ft. wide, dense, compact habit, rose-pink flowers - 'Paulette'
Orange-red flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Allgold', 'Gold Spear', 'Hollandia', 'Paulette'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
compact, small white blooms mid to late spring - 'Allgold'
deep yellow flowers, taller than parent - 'Gold Spear'
bright yellow flowers, smaller than parent - 'Hollandia'
2 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 6 ft. wide, dense, compact habit, rose-pink flowers - 'Paulette'
Orange-red flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Allgold', 'Gold Spear', 'Hollandia', 'Paulette'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cytisus
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The plant produces legume seed pods. The fruit is hairy along the margins, measuring 1 to 2 inches in length. Legumes can be either yellow or white.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant pale yellow pea-like flowers appear in profusion in the spring, measuring 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, mostly simple, lanceolate to linear-spatulate with entire margins and silky pubescent, measuring 0.25 to 0.75 inches.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender, grayish-green, and ridged. Older stems are brownish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Urban Conditions
