About
A prostrate deciduous shrub to 20cm high, with spreading branches and small, dark green leaves with a silvery covering of fine hairs beneath. Produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers in late spring and early summer.
About the genus
Genista are deciduous, sometimes spiny, shrubs or small trees with small, simple or trifoliate leaves and solitary, racemose or clustered, pea-like yellow flowers which are sometimes fragrant
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Ideal for a rock garden or alpine house
PruningPruning group 1; do not cut back into old wood
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn or spring, or by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility