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Silkleaf Broom Genista pilosa

Phonetic Spelling
jih-NIS-tuh pil-OH-suh
Description

Creeping Broom is a ground-hugging deciduous shrub from Europe in the legume family. It grows to 1.5 feet tall by 3 feet wide with a mass of slender twiggy stems. It is covered in yellow pea-type blooms in late spring to summer and does best in well-drained poorer soils in full sun. Drought and poor soil tolerant as it is able to fix nitrogen.

Use as a ground cover on slopes, rock walls, in rock gardens, drought tolerant gardens, sandy sites and in mass plantings. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Vancouver Gold'
'Vancouver Gold'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#yellow flowers#low maintenance#slopes#low growing plant#long bloom time#groundcover#rock garden#poor soils tolerant#garden walls#sandy soil
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Vancouver Gold'
'Vancouver Gold'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#yellow flowers#low maintenance#slopes#low growing plant#long bloom time#groundcover#rock garden#poor soils tolerant#garden walls#sandy soil
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Genista
    Species:
    pilosa
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Distribution:
    Southern Sweden to the Mediterranean
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    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:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Description:
    Flat brown legume matures in fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers on 2-6 in. racemes are borne on new growth all summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Small shiny green leaves have silvery hairs on the undersides. They are .5 inch by .2 inch in size.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green stems with fine hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil