Botanical Name: Genista lydia
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Common Name: Hardy Dwarf Broom  
Plant photo of: Genista lydia
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Water Saving Tip:

Fix leaking sprinklers, valves, and pipes.

One broken spray sprinkler can waste 10 gallons per minute - or 100 gallons in a typical 10 minute watering cycle.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Shrub, Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Raised Planter, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Erosion Control, Mass Planting

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Normans/Steve Mullany
  • Description

  • Notes

A profusion yellow, pea-like flowers completely smother hardy dwarf broom in the spring. The plant has distinctive cascading evergreen stems that mold beautifully around boulders and drape gracefully over ledges. It is a slow but steady grower, putting on 3 to 5 inches of growth at the tips of the branches each spring, eventually forming an impressive groundcover-like shrub. Nice for use on hot, sunny slopes when planted close together on 18-inch centers. Eventually grows 12 inches tall and up to 4 feet across.
Not picky about its soil as long as it's well-drained. Full to part sun. Little water required once established. Doesn't like shearing, as it makes it very stubby and stiff; prune selectively when necessary (see Guides).