Genista

( jen - NIST - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Genista, also referred to as Broom, is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrub species that need full sun and little to moderate water to perform well in the landscape. They are grown for their profuse yellow blooms. Attractive on banks and sloped areas, these shrubs can tolerate rocky or infertile soil. Use Broom in rock gardens, mass planted as a groundcover, in mixed beds and borders, or in containers. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans, pets, and horses if ingested.

Genista Species and Varietals

The genus Genista is a member of the family Fabaceae, and includes around 87 species. Genista grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-10, though this varies somewhat by species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Genista aetnensis (Mt. Etna Broom)
This deciduous species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 5-9 and 14-24, and is native to Sardinia and Sicily. Individual plants form large shrubs to 18 feet tall and wide, with arching branches that give it a graceful look. Flowers are fragrant and golden yellow, blooming in summer.

Genista hispanica (Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spanish Furze)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-22. This is a deciduous species from southwestern Europe. Stems have spines, and the plant itself can get to 1-2 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity. Blooms are golden yellow, appearing at stem tips in springtime.

Genista lydia (Lydian Broom, Dwarf Broom, Common Woadwaxen)
This is an almost leafless species, growing best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-6 and 14-17. It is native to the Balkans and Asia. Slow grower to 1-2 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide at maturity. Low-arching branches make it a great groundcover. Profuse bloomer with bright yellow flowers in spring.

Genista pilosa (Hairy Greenweed, Silkyleaf Broom, Creeping Broom, Silky Leaf Woadwaxen)
This deciduous species from Western and Central Europe grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-22, and gets to 1.5 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Intricately-branched structure with bright yellow blooms in spring. Cultivars include 'Vancouver Gold' (golden-yellow blooms), and 'Gold Flash' (hardy, compact variety 12 inches tall and 3 feet wide).

Genista sagittalis (Winged Broom, Arrow-Jointed Broom)
This leafless species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-22, and is native to Southern and Central Europe. It spreads quickly to reach 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide. Bright green branchlets make the plant look evergreen, and stems are topped with golden-yellow blooms in spring or summer. This species is considered potentially invasive in Poland.

Genista tinctoria (Dyer's Greenwood, Dyer's Broom, Woodwaxen, Woadwaxen)
This deciduous species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-7zones 2-24, and has an upright growth to 2-3 feet with equal width. Narrow leaves adorn spikes, which are topped with golden yellow flowers in spring or early summer. Variety 'Royal Gold' is a compact, heavy blooming type.

Caring for Genista

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans, pets, and horses if ingested. Genista shrubs grow well in well-draining average soil when planted in full sun. Plant in springtime or fall. Fertilize these plants once a year with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in springtime, before new growth starts to sprout. Once established, these plants are considered to be drought tolerant and do not need supplemental waterings except for in the drier months of the year. Newer plants will need regular waterings until they become established. Genista can be pruned after flowers fade to neaten the appearance of the shrub and to create a rounder shape.

Propagation

Genista can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Broom plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Genista by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Genista by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in . The seed pods on Caesalpinia plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Genista seeds are contained inside seed pods that are left behind after flowers have faded. They will turn brown and dry out, dropping their seeds when they are ready.