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Cytisus x kewensis

5 Aug

Cytisus x kewensis Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Cytisus x kewensis Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a,  9b

Family: Fabaceae

Cytisus x kewensis is a semi-prostrate, semi-evergreen shrub. Its mid green leaves are trifoliate, up to 15mm long and hairy while young. Its young shoots are green. Its fragrant pale yellow flowers are typical pea like flowers, are sterile, are 2cm tall and 2cm wide. Its roots of this plant fix nitrogen in the soil.

Cytisus x kewensis, commonly known as Broom, was discovered at Kew Gardens, London. It is a cross between Cytisus ardoini  and Cytisus multiflorus.

The etymological root of the binomial name Cytisus is derived from the Greek Kytisos ‘a kind of clover’, in reference to the leaves of this plant. Kewensis is a Latinised name, in reference to it origins at Kew Gardens.

Cytisus x kewensis (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Cytisus x kewensis (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Cytisus x kewensis useful as an effective, free flowering ground cover plant. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Cytisus x kewensis is attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given  Cytisus x kewensis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

  Cytisus x kewensis prefers moist, well-drained, sandy soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Cytisus x kewensis requires little maintenance.

Cytisus scoparius

21 Jun

Cytisus scoparius Flower (30/05/2012, London)

Cytisus scoparius Flower (30/05/2012, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Sandy, well drained

Eventual Height: 2.5m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Fabaceae

Cytisus scoparius is a fast growing semi-evergreen shrub. Its dark green leaves are trifoliate, up to 15mm long and hairy while young. Its young shoots are green. Its fragrant yellow hermaphrodite flowers are typical pea like flowers, are 2cm tall and 2cm wide. These are followed by seed pods which are initially green maturing to black, are up to 4cm long and these burst open when ripe. Its roots of this plant fix nitrogen in the soil.

Cytisus scoparius, commonly known as Broom, Common Broom or Scotch Broom, is native to western Europe (including the UK). In its native habitat it grow as part of open scrub land mix on very well drained soils.  Cytisus scoparius is synonymous with Sarothamnus scoparius. All parts of this plant are poisonous. It is classified as an invasive species in a number of North American states, Australia, New Zealand and India.

The etymological root of the binomial name Cytisus is derived from the Greek Kytisos ‘a kind of clover’, in reference to the leaves of this plant. Scoparius is derived from the Latin Scopa ‘Butchers Broom (shrub)’.

Cytisus scoparius (30/05/2012, London)

Cytisus scoparius (30/05/2012, London)

The landscape architect may find  Cytisus scoparius useful as part of a native shrub mix on acidic, poor soils, particularly on post industrial landscapes. It is very useful for soil stabilisation on sandy soils. It may be planted as a free flowering informal hedge. it is tolerant of atmospheric pollution. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Cytisus scoparius is attractive to pollinating insects. It also provides valuable cover for birds.

Cytisus scoparius prefers moist, sandy, well-drained soils. It prefers an acidic to neutral pH of soil. It will tolerate very acidic soils. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Cytisus scoparius requires little maintenance. It may be pruned after flowering, however old wood should not be cut.

Davis Landscape Architecture