Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Cytisus racemosus or Sweet Broom

The genus Cytisus, family Fabaceae, includes 30 species of shrubs and trees native to the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands and the Azores. Some species are: Cytisus racemosus, Cytisus scoparius, Cytisus albus, Cytisus canariensis, Cytisus arboreus.

Common names: Dwarf Yellow Broom, Sweet Broom. This species is native to the Canary Islands.

They are shrubs with thin and flexible branches with small alternate leaves that can be trifoliate or simple. The abundant yellow flowers are scented. They bloom from mid-spring to mid-summer. The fruits are pod-shaped.

Dwarf Yellow Broom is used as isolated specimens or in groups and next to a wall; it's an ideal plant for low maintenance gardens because it resists drought well. It can also be grown in pots.

Cytisus racemosus needs a very sunny exposure and that the temperature does not drop below 7 ºC (44.6 ºF).

Sweet Broom does not tolerate acidic and granitic soils; it needs a very well drained soil with alkaline pH. It does not resist transplantation well.

Water moderately throughout the year; they are drought resistant plants.

Dwarf Yellow Broom does not need fertilizers.

Cytisus racemosus can be attacked by aphids; If the leaves turn yellow, the soil may be turning acidic.

Sweet Broom propagates by seeds sown in spring or by cuttings in late summer.

Images of the plant Cytisus racemosus or Sweet Broom