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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:
  • 'alba'
    White blooms
  • 'All Gold'
    Small shrub free flowering deep yellow flowers
  • 'Paulette'
    Orange-red flowers
'alba', 'All Gold', 'Paulette'
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#shade garden#spring flowers#slopes#mass planting#fast growing#pest resistant#spring interest#fantz#hillsides#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shrub borders
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'alba'
    White blooms
  • 'All Gold'
    Small shrub free flowering deep yellow flowers
  • 'Paulette'
    Orange-red flowers
'alba', 'All Gold', 'Paulette'
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#shade garden#spring flowers#slopes#mass planting#fast growing#pest resistant#spring interest#fantz#hillsides#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shrub borders
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are slender, green, and ridged. Older stems are brownish.
  • 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