"Cytisus - Broom"    

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Cytisus Cut Flowers

Botanical Name: Cytisus canariensis

Available: spring

Best Time to Buy: When the majority of the flowers on the                                       branch have started to open.

Vase Life: 7-10 days

Flowers: whitish-yellow, may be dyed in various colors, fragrant

Comments: Cytisus has small, 1/2 inch (1.5 cm), pea-shaped flowers in quantity on leafless branches. The cut branches are typically 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) long. May also be called Genista.

Position Cytisus flowers away from hot places, fruit, vegetables and wilting flowers. These give off ethylene gas, which can cause flower drop in broom.

Cytisus is usually sold by weight, in bunches of 1/2-1 pound weight (250-500 gm). It is graded both by the length of the stem and by the quality. First-grade Cytisus consists of the terminal branches. The woodier part of the stem goes into the second grade.

Growing Cytisus

Cytisus or Brooms are deciduous or evergreen shrubs grown for their abundant pea-like flowers. Some are hardy, and others are half-hardy. They come mostly from hot, arid hills in southern and western Europe. Hence they need well-drained, not over-rich soils, in a sunny location. They resent being transplanted. Prune the new growth back every year to keep tidy. The old wood will not resprout if cut back.

Cytisus racemosus has long been grown in pots in the greenhouse. It needs a light, loamy soil. During the summer the plant should be stood out of doors, and kept watered well. In winter it needs to be in a frost-free place. Plants in large pots can be left in the same pot for two or three years. Just replace a little of the top soil with rich loam, or well-decayed manure, in the spring.

Propagation

Cytisus seed, when ripe in late summer, should be sown in pans of sandy loam, and kept in a shady spot until the plants appear, little moisture being required for germination. When the seedlings are tall enough to be handled, they should be potted singly in small pots in a light sandy compost. Don't allow them to be scorched by the sun or overwatered. They need plenty of air and light, and no extra heat. When the roots fill the pots move into larger pots 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter.

Brooms can be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Take cuttings of young Cytisus shoots (not old wood), 2 inches (5 cm) long, with a heel of old wood at the base. Remove two or three of the lower leaves. Plant close together in a pot filled with a mixture of loam 1 part to sharp sand 2 parts, and with an inch or so of sharp sand on the top. Water gently, cover with plastic or polythene, and put in a warm place to root.

Both seedlings and cuttings must be kept sufficiently moist, without at any time becoming sodden or waterlogged. The drainage must be good.

Types of Cytisus

Included below is a list of some of the better known species and cultivars. Cytisus is sometimes called Genista, and may be confused with Spartium, Spanish Broom. But true Genistas should have spines, true Spartiums should have rushlike, leafless stems, and true Cytisus should have leaves and no spines.

CYTISUS SCOPARIUS : This is the common broom and can grow to a height of 12 feet (4 m) or more. There are a number of different colored varieties. Andre's Broom (C. andreanus) has yellow and red flowers - the lower petals are a fine crimson or bronze.

CYTISUS ALBUS : A deciduous, spreading shrub, with a height of 12 inches (30 cm) and a spread of 36 inches (90 cm). From early to mid summer creamy-white flowers are borne in dense clusters.

CYTISUS ARDOINII : This dwarf Cytisus only grows 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) high and trails. It does well in a dry, sunny spot and so is ideal for a rockery. It has silky foliage, and in April and May is smothered with deep yellow flowers. Propagation is by cuttings or by seed.

CYTISUS ARGENTEUS : This has leaves and stems densely clothed in thick silvery-white down. It comes from coastal, mountain areas, and grows in the sunniest, most arid spots.

CYTISUS BATTANDIERI : This is the Moroccan Broom or Pineapple Broom. A semi-evergreen, open shrub which can grow up to 12 feet (4 m). Produces large, deliciously pineapple-scented, yellow flowers from early to mid-summer.

CYTISUS x BEANII : It is another dwarf, prostrate shrub, similar to C. ardoinii, and also good for a rockery. It has yellow flowers in early May. It arose as a cross between ardoinii and biflorus in Kew Gardens, London, UK. The common name is Bean's Cytisus.

CYTISUS CAPITATUS : A neat, compact, semi-evergreen shrub with clusters of pale yellow flowers, sometimes with bronze tints, at the ends of the branches. It flowers later than most types, from mid July to autumn, but the display is not so good. Native to central and southern Europe. Propagation by seed.

CYTISUS x KEWENSIS : A beautiful prostrate broom raised in Kew Gardens. It grows only 12 inches (30 cm) high, but its long, downy trailing shoots spread up to 6 feet (180 cm). It produces creamy-white flowers in profusion in May and June. It is good for a bank or large rock garden.

CYTISUS NIGRICANS : Of neat, upright habit, and up to 6 feet (2 m) tall. It has a long lasting display of tall, slender spires of pale yellow flowers during summer. Commonly known as the black-podded broom. Easily grown from seed.

CYTISUS PURPUREUS : This low spreading bush from eastern Europe grows 18 inches (45 cm) high with a 24 inch (60 cm) spread. Masses of purple flowers open from May onwards. It is easily increased by seed or cuttings.

See also Cytisus scoparius - Scotch Broom
                     Cytisus decumbens - Prostrate Broom

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