Genista (Broom) is a genus comprising about 90 species of legumes in the family Fabaceae, native to Europe, north Africa, and southeast Asia, with the greatest diversity in the Mediterranean region.
Genista is a deciduous shrub, grown for the showy pea-like flowers, which are borne in spring or summer. It can be grown as ornamental plant or in a mixed border. It is not a long-lived plant but can be grown from seed. Genista grows especially well in gravel gardens.
Genista aetnensis (Mount Etna broom) is the largest species of brooms, growing to 6 m or more high and across, and may be too large for many gardens. It is endemic to the island of Sicily where it is found growing around the lower slopes of Mount Etna. It has slender, arching branches, which are covered with bright yellow flowers from mid- to late summer, follow by seedpods.
Genista tinctoria (Dyer's broom, Dyer's greenwood or woodwaxen) is a low sub-shrub, barely woody at all. It provides a useful yellow dye and was grown commercially for this purpose in parts of Britain into the early 19th century. Woollen cloth, mordanted with alum, was dyed yellow with dyer's broom.
Genista hispanica (Spanish gorse)75 cm x 1.5 m, is a low, rounded shrub. It grows well in sunny, dry places and borne golden-yellow flowers in late spring to early summer. Its small leaves are borne only on flowering shoots.
Genista lydia has leaves that are blue-green and produces a mass of twiggy branches that are completely covered by yellow flowers in early summer.
Plant Genista in full sun and in well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in spring or autumn; semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Aphids are pests that can affect the plants.
Genista hispanica http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genista_hispanica0.jpg Kurt Stüber
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genista_hispanica0.jpg
Kurt Stüber
