Cytisus scoparius Cytisus Lena

Cytisus scoparius 'Lena' is a variety of broom with a compact and spreading habit. In spring, it is covered in flowers in shades of red, rust, orange, and yellow. It creates a magnificent spectacle when in full bloom. Fast-growing, broom can be grown in a large container or in the ground, in light, even sandy and poor, soil without excess limestone. Plant it in a large rockery, in a border, or on a sunny slope.

Cytisus scoparius 'Lena' belongs to the large Fabaceae family. It is a compact and floriferous cultivar. Like all broom, it is derived from Cytisus scoparius, a hardy but short-lived bush native to central Europe (up to Ukraine) and eastern Europe, widespread to North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous soils.

'Lena' has a spreading, fairly compact habit, but with a light appearance due to its sparse leaves. At maturity, it reaches about 1.3m (4ft) in all directions. The flexible, arching stems bear deciduous, green, narrow, trifoliate, alternate leaves, 8 to 15mm (0.3 to 1in) long. The leaves fall early after flowering. In May-June, its papilionaceous flowers, 2cm (1in) in diameter, appear. Each one is composed of an upper yellow-red-orange petal and lower red and yellow petals. The flower buds are red. These pea-like flowers bloom in clusters mainly at the top of the branches. Pollinated by bees, they give way to flat, black pod-shaped fruits. The fruit pods can stain whatever they fall on, so prune the bush after flowering. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, about 5 to 8 years.

'Lena' is worth seeing in spring. Plant it near the house, on a large slope, or make it the centrepiece of a large shrub border. It can be planted with many shrubs with staggered foliage or flowering: dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis, Abies balsamea 'Nana', white spruce), a shrubby peony, a small-sized lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), rosemary, or an evergreen ceanothus whose blue flowering will complement its flowers. Deciduous or evergreen small spindles, shrubby salvias and perennial geraniums compose beautiful, maintenance-free flowering scenes in a wild garden

Tip: After pruning, use the cut stems to make good garden brooms.