Houseplant Care

Genista

Houseplant Care

Rupert Foxton-Smythe
January 20, 2020
0

Genista, commonly known as brooms, are vibrant plants that thrive in sunny environments. Discover their unique characteristics and how to care for them.

This is the second of the genera which are commonly known as brooms.

Key Information:

Genista is a genus of brooms that thrive in sunny, warm places with neutral or acid soils. They can be lightly pruned after flowering, but not into old wood.

Genista aethnensis: A tall broom with slender, hanging stems and small yellow flowers.
G. hispanica: A dwarf, spiny plant that gradually spreads and produces light yellow flowers.
G. lydia: A small, smooth plant with arching stems and yellow flowers.

This is the second of the genera which are commonly known as brooms. Like the other two genistas enjoy sunny, warm places and prefer neutral or acid soils, though they will grow where there is lime or chalk. They can also be cut back lightly after flowering, but not into hard, old wood, which usually refuses to produce new growth.

There are many different kinds varying greatly in size and habit. Genista aethnensis. The Mount Etna broom, is almost a tree, often 15 ft. or more high with slender, whip-like, hanging stems covered with small yellow flowers in summer. It needs secure staking as it is very easily blown over.

By contrast G. hispanica is a dwarf plant, like a 2-ft. Gorse bush, spiny and stiff and spreading gradually to cover quite a lot of ground in time. Its light yellow flowers appear in May—June. G. lydia is also a small plant but quite smooth and spineless with arching stems and yellow flowers in May—June. It looks well on a rock garden or terrace wall.

Genista tinctoria, the dyer’s green-weed, creeps and is best planted in its double-flowered variety plena, with showy yellow blooms from June to September.

Genista tenera (also known as G. virgata) and G. cinerea are both vigorous, erect-growing shrubs, 8 ft. or more high, with yellow flowers in June and July.

More Information on Genista

Expanding upon the Genista Article

Genista, commonly known as brooms, is a genus of plants that thrive in sunny and warm environments with neutral or acid soils. These plants can tolerate lime or chalk but prefer well-drained soil. After the flowering season, it is recommended to lightly prune Genista, avoiding cutting into hard, old wood as it may not produce new growth.

There is a wide variety of Genista species, each with its own unique characteristics. For instance, Genista aethnensis, also known as the Mount Etna broom, can reach impressive heights of 15 feet or more. Its slender, whip-like, hanging stems are adorned with small yellow flowers during the summer. Due to its height, it is essential to provide secure staking to prevent it from being blown over by strong winds.

In contrast, G. hispanica is a dwarf plant resembling a 2-foot Gorse bush. It has spiny and stiff branches that gradually spread, covering a significant area over time. During May and June, it produces delicate light yellow flowers, adding a touch of color to any landscape. Another small-sized Genista species is G. lydia, which stands out for its smooth and spineless stems that gracefully arch. Its yellow flowers bloom in May and June, making it a charming addition to rock gardens or terrace walls.

Genista tinctoria, also known as the dyer’s green-weed, is a creeping variety that displays showy yellow blooms from June to September. It is recommended to plant the double-flowered variety called “plena” for an even more eye-catching display.

Lastly, Genista tenera (also known as G. virgata) and G. cinerea are robust and erect-growing shrubs, reaching heights of 8 feet or more. Both species boast vibrant yellow flowers that bloom in June and July, creating a stunning visual impact in gardens and landscapes.

Genista plants are not only visually appealing but also provide valuable habitat and food sources for pollinators. Their vibrant flowers and unique growth habits make them an intriguing addition to any garden or landscape design.

About The Author:

Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast.

Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.