Cytisus scoparius, commonly called common broom or Scotch broom, is a multi-stemmed, deciduous/evergreen shrub that grows 4-8' tall and features generally upright, broom-like, slender green branching and bright yellow flowers. Green-ribbed branches are sparsely clad (but are often leafless), with small, alfalfa-like, trifoliate leaves (with 1/2" long leaflets). Fragrant, sweet pea-shaped, bright yellow flowers (to 1" long) appear in late spring in an often showy bloom. Flowers are mostly solitary or in pairs. Fruit is a flattened, pea-like, green seed pod (to 2" long) with hairy margins. Pods mature to brown/black in fall and will snap open when ripe, explosively ejecting seeds several yards away. This shrub fixes nitrogen on root nodules. Common broom is native to central and southern Europe. Grow in moderately fertile, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Good drought tolerance. Grows best in full sun. Tolerates poor rocky soils. Broom makes an interesting addition to landscapes and garden areas. It can also provide good erosion control on slopes or hilly areas. Hardy in zones 5-8.
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The Scotch Broom is not sold or shipped to Washington State.
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Growing Instructions for the Scotch Broom
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The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. 1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat. The seeds can be sanded with sandpaper, a nail file or an emery board. 2. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. 3. Put some soil in a pot. 4. Sow the seeds on the soil. 5. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 6. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 7. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.