About
This prostrate deciduous shrub to 15cm tall, forming a wide mat of flattened, upright stems bearing sparse, small leaves and terminal clusters of yellow flowers 10mm long, in 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, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Alpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Coastal, Gravel garden
Native toEurope to Turkey
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1. Do not cut into old wood
PropagationPropagate by seed. Sow seed in containers in cold frame as soon as ripe or sow in spring. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and gall mites
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility