Cytisus scoparius seeds - Common broom

Common Broom, or Cytisus scoparius, is an iconic bush of European landscapes, prized for its sunny flowering and ease of cultivation. Its bright yellow flowering adds a beautiful splash of colour to the garden in late spring, particularly in natural gardens or country hedgerows. Its rapid growth and ability to thrive in poor soils make it an ally for restoring degraded land, in acidic to slightly calcareous terrain.

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Cytisus scoparius is native to Western and Central Europe, with its range extending from North Africa to Scandinavia, including the British Isles and Ukraine. In its natural habitat, it is commonly found in heathlands, forest clearings, and roadsides, often on acidic, well-drained soils. The name "scoparius" derives from the Latin "scopa," meaning "broom," referencing the traditional use of its branches for making brooms. Common Broom has an upright habit with main stems reaching up to 5 cm in diameter. It typically grows to an average height of 2 m with a spread of about 1.5 m. Its growth is rapid, around 30 to 50 cm per year. Its green, angular, smooth branches are characteristic, as are its very small trifoliate leaves with 0.5 to 2 cm long leaflets, usually hairy on the underside. The leaves drop early in the season, before the summer heat arrives. The flowering period, spanning from May to June, produces bright yellow flowers measuring 2 to 2.5 cm long, arranged singly or in pairs at the leaf axils. The flowering is visited intensely by bees and other pollinating insects. The fruits are flat, black pods, up to 6 cm long, hairy only along the edges, which burst when ripe to disperse the seeds. This bush has a taproot, allowing it to draw water from deep underground. It is also capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen thanks to symbiotic nodules. Broom enriches the surrounding soil. Its lifespan varies depending on environmental conditions and care, generally living between 10 and 20 years.

In the garden, Common Broom is ideal for creating informal hedges or stabilising slopes. It pairs beautifully in shrub borders alongside the White Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii 'White Profusion', Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Pink Cloud', which blooms pink at the same time as the broom, and Oleaster (Elaeagnus ebbingei), valued for its evergreen foliage and hardiness. These combinations create attractive, low-maintenance displays while promoting garden biodiversity.