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Broom
(Cytisus praecox 'Hollandia')
a Red Warminster Broom; a cross between
Cytisus multiflorus and
C. purgans
Supposedly the common name of Broom comes from its use as a broom. The Scotch Broom has very dense masses of the fine branches. When bound together and trimmed they were used as brooms in the Old World. Not all of the broom species are dense enough to do that, but some are.
This is not a native plant.
Since this is a cross between Cytisus multiflorus, the White Spanish Broom, and C. purgans, the Provence Broom, I wonder where they got the red to develop from as the first of those
is white and the second yellow.
This plant appears to be all green sticks with flowers glued on!
The green twigs remain green in the winter and give color to a garden. It says in Wyman's that it can grow to six feet...YIKES!
In summer 2000 it is about 18 inches tall however.
The first time we planted it it died over winter. I am guessing but I believe it was watered too heavily, plus was stressed by an extraordinary heat wave in summer 1999. This second planting was done on a slight slope away from most plantings so it is less likely to get drenched by hose or nature. We know it grows in Manchester as it is taking over in a nearby garden!
It is difficult to transplant once growing in the ground. Hopefully our young, pot grown plants didn't notice the change. They have few roots so they can't afford to have you mucking about with them. On the bright side insects and disease are no problems.
It was blooming in late June.
This is a typical pea family blossom. Lovely, isn't it?!
Study Pointers:
- Find other Pea Family plants in the Plant Index. Locate several other plants that might be blooming when this does and compare the flowers. If you have one, bring your magnifying glass with you.
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