scotch broom

A low maintenance, flowering shrub family with a round, mounding habit and thin, green stems that are covered in fragrant, pea-flowers ranging in colors from white, yellow, orange, red and bicolor in late spring/early summer. Small, bright green foliage on the stems gives broom a fine texture, and unique profile in the garden. This is an excellent choice for dry butterfly or cottage gardens. They tend to thrive on neglect, using them in drier, sandy areas once established such as rock gardens, mixed borders with little irrigation, and containers.

Plant in well-drained, sandy soil. Water well after planting; maintain 1” of water once a week the first year. Prune or shear back immediately after flowering to control size, and remove stray shoots or damaged limbs anytime. Remove 1/4 of old stems from the base each year. Feed at least twice during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer. Follow label instructions. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature.