Scotch Broom Cytisus x praecox
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Scotch Broom:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SY-tiss-us PRAY-koks
- Description
-
Scotch Broom is deciduous arching, many-stemmed shrub in the Fabaceae family that grows up to 6' tall. In warmer climates, it can be evergreen. This plant blooms in mid-spring with lots of very showy yellow flowers that pop in a shrub border. The evergreen stems bear small sparse leaves and provide medium-fine texture and winter interest.
It is a great choice for mass planting along slopes or hillsides. Once established it tolerates drought, dry and poor soils, salt and part shade. It is a rapid grower and is relatively pest-free. Pink and crimson cultivars of this plant exist. It is fairly short-lived to 5-7 years.
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
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'alba'
White blooms - 'All Gold'
Small shrub free flowering deep yellow flowers - 'Paulette'
Orange-red flowers
- 'alba'
- 'alba', 'All Gold', 'Paulette'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'alba'
White blooms - 'All Gold'
Small shrub free flowering deep yellow flowers - 'Paulette'
Orange-red flowers
- 'alba'
- 'alba', 'All Gold', 'Paulette'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cytisus
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- 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
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- 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 legumes that are hairy along the margins and are 1"-2" in size. 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:
- 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch fragrant pale yellow pea-like flowers appear in profusion in the spring.
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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:
- 1/4 to 3/4 inch leaves are alternate, mostly simple, lanceolate to linear-spatulate with entire margins and silky pubescent.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are slender, 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
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Urban Conditions
