Common Broom (Cytisus scoparius)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun
• Requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Tolerates dry, poor soils

Bloom Time:

• Late spring to early summer
• Bright yellow, pea-like flowers cover the stems
• Occasionally produces red or bi-colored cultivars

Size:

Height: 5 to 10 feet

Width: 3 to 6 feet

Attributes:

• Showy yellow flowers in spring
• Slender, green, photosynthetic stems
• Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils
• Fixes nitrogen, improving soil fertility
• Useful for erosion control and naturalized plantings
• Attracts pollinators

Care Tips:

• Prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
• Water during establishment; drought-tolerant afterward
• Prune after flowering to maintain shape and prevent legginess
• Avoid cutting into old wood, as it may not resprout
• Can self-seed aggressively—deadhead if spread is a concern

Pest Watch:

• Generally pest- and disease-free
• Monitor for aphids and root rot in poorly drained soils