Also known as Spanish gorse, or anlaga, this deciduous shrub is native to southern France and northern Spain where it grows in scrub on open rocky hills. It is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupine, mimosa and black locust. The plant grows up to 2.5′ tall and forms a dense mound of interlacing green branches that are hairy and covered with branched spines 3/4-1″ long. The dark green leaves are linear-lanceolate, about 1/3″ long, and are located only on flowering twigs. Rounded terminal clusters of pea-like flowers appear in late spring to early summer. The clusters are about 1″ across and composed of up to 12 bright yellow flowers that are 1/3″ long, have a ripe pineapple or ripe apple fragrant, and give way to flat oval seed pods containing 1-4 seeds. Spanish broom is an excellent choice for a ground cover on dry banks and slopes, in beds and borders, cascading over rocks in a wall garden, and in a fragrance garden. The genus name, Genista, is the Latin name for the plant known as broom. The specific epithet, hispanica, honors the area where the plant is native. Photo Credit Wikipedia
Type: Flowering deciduous shrub
Outstanding Feature: Flowers with pineapple or ripe apple scent
Form: Dense mound
Growth Rate: Not available
Bloom: Rounded clusters of fragrant, golden yellow pea-like flowers in late spring and early summer
Size: 1-2.5′ H x 4-5′ W
Light: Full sun; does not tolerate shade
Soil: Average to poor, dry to medium moist, well-drained; drought tolerant once established
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Care: Prune to remove dead branches immediately after flowering; does not tolerate hard pruning.
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but susceptible to aphids, gall mites, and honey fungus
Propagation: Seed with cold stratification, semi-hardwood cuttings, layering
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers