Lydia Broom Genista lydia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jeh-NIS-tah LID-ee-ah
- Description
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Lydia broom is a low-growing shrub in the legume family native to the Balkans, Turkey and Syria. It is deciduous in northern climates and evergreen in warm winter areas. It generally only reaches 2 feet in height and blooms profusely with yellow pea-like flowers in spring. It is multi-branched and low-growing with an open form and arching branches. It remains attractive even after flowering.
The Genus name comes from the Latin name planta genista from which the Plantagenet kings and queens of England took their name.
This shrub prefers full sun in well-drained sandy alkaline soil and tolerates poor soil, (it fixes nitrogen) drought, heat, salt and deer. The shrub should only be pruned after flowering. Use this plant in a drought-tolerant garden or xeriscape application. It can be planted in small areas, as a foundation plant or in groups.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bangle® '
Lower growing to 12 inches tall
- 'Bangle® '
- 'Bangle® '
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bangle® '
Lower growing to 12 inches tall
- 'Bangle® '
- 'Bangle® '
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Genista
- Species:
- lydia
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Balkans, Turkey and Syria
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The brown legumes are oblong, flat, glabrous and mature in fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 0.4 in. bright yellow pea-shaped flowers cover the shrub in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple oval leaves are alternate with pinnate venation. They are small, up to 1/2 inch long and spaced about 1/2 inch apart. May have a yellow fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Glabrous green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Salt
- Urban Conditions
