Broom
Genista species (formerly Cytisus species)
(FABACEAE, formerly LEGUMINOSAE)
Planting and Growing Broom
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow broom in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, seedpods, and seeds of broom
- Growing conditions for broom
- When and where to plant broom
- How to plant broom
- How to shape, prune and control growth of broom
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of broom
- Landscape uses of broom
- Pest and disease control for broom
Growing Broom
About 50 species of fast-growing, spreading, deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs, 8–180 in. (20–460 cm) tall, depending on species, usually with 3-part, divided or sometimes single, green leaves, 1/2–4-in. (12–100-mm) long.
Because it develops many pods of hard-shelled and durable pea-like seeds that birds eat and excrete, broom is highly invasive and spreads uncontrollably. It is listed as a noxious weed in many jurisdictions where it has been introduced.
Broom Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Fragrant, pealike, brown, red, white, yellow flowers in late spring, to 1 in. (25 mm) long, often in pairs or showy clusters, form beanlike seedpods in summer.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9, depending on species; ground hardy, zones 6–8.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp to dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.5–7.5 pH. Salt tolerant.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 1–8 ft. (30–240 cm) apart, depending on species.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize semi-annually in spring, autumn. Mulch, zones 2–5, 8–9. Prune after bloom. Protect from sun in hot climates. Propagate by cuttings, grafting, layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, borders, hedges, screens in cottage, seaside, small-space gardens. Humidity susceptible. Tends to be invasive; prohibited in some jurisdictions.