common broom
Also known as: beesom; besom; green broom; Scotch broom; Scots broom
Upright, deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall, with slender green shoots bearing small bright green leaves composed of 3 leaflets, and clusters of pea-like bright butter-yellow flowers, appearing from the leaf axils, in late spring
Scientific classification
- Species
- common broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- Genus
- Cytisus
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Toxicity
- Shrubs
- Plant type
- 1-1.5 metres
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Information to be completed
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- 15 – 25 °C
- Ideal temperature
common broom pictures
Distribution of common broom
Distribution map
Europe
Information to be completed
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of common broom
Information to be completed
common broom care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- 15 – 25 °C
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningShorten flowered shoots to vigorous sideshoots; remove about a third of stems at ground level annually. Prune immediately after flowering.
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Growing
GrowingGrow in any well-drained soil in full sun with a little shelter from cold drying winds; broom thrives in poor acid soils and may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. Plant when young, resents transplanting
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Pests
May be susceptible to broom gall mites
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