Overview
Genista umbellata is a bushy, matforming shrubs in the genus Genista, part of the Fabaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Genista umbellata grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, rock garden, banks and slopes and flower borders and beds.
About
Genista umbellata is a bushy, matforming deciduous shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family. Like other Genista species, it produces yellow pea-like flowers in spring and summer, which may occasionally have a pleasant fragrance. This cultivar thrives in full sun and well-drained, neutral loam soils, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings including city courtyards, coastal areas, and rock gardens. Hardy to UK zone H5, it can be grown in both exposed and sheltered positions and is best propagated by seed or semi-ripe cuttings.
About the genus
Genista is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, native to open habitats such as moorland and pasture in Europe and western Asia. They include species commonly called broom, though the term may also refer to other genera, including Cytisus and Chamaecytisus. Brooms in other genera are sometimes considered synonymous with Genista: Echinospartum, Retama, Spartium, Stauracanthus, and Ulex.
Wikipedia contributors, "Genista", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Genista
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Genista
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Genista umbellata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Genista umbellata
- Propagation
- Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Gall mites
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Genista umbellata?
Genista umbellata prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Genista umbellata need?
Genista umbellata grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Genista umbellata hardy in the UK?
Genista umbellata has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Genista umbellata?
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
