Common Name: broom
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Fabaceae
Native Range: Southern and central Europe
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 0.30 to 0.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to July
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Ground Cover
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium to dry moisture, loose-textured, well-draining soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils and dry conditions. Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged soils. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Genista sagittalis, known as winged broom or simply broom, is a low-growing perennial sub-shrub native to southern and central Europe. Reaches 4-6" in height, and can slowly spread to form a dense mat of foliage up to 3' across. The green, somewhat hairy stems have distinctive wings along their lengths, with small, narrow, green leaves at the nodes. The stems are punctuated by flowering spikes of bright, lemon yellow blooms from May to July.
Genus name comes from the Latin name planta genista from which the Plantagenet kings and queens of England took their name.
The specific epithet sagittalis means arrow-shaped.
The young shoots and stems from some of the taller plants in the genus were once bound together for use as sweeping brooms, hence the common name of winged broom.
Problems
No major insect or disease problems reported. Aphids can be problematic.
Uses
Use as a small scale ground cover in alpine gardens, rock gardens, and other garden areas with adequate light and drainage.