Broom

Description

Cytisus scoparius, is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes but has adapted to coastal climates, tolerating very acidic soil conditions. Flowers in late summer. From the bark a brown/yellow dye can be obtained. Broom was considered a sign of plenty when it bore many yellow flowers. However a traditional rhyme from Sussex warns: “Sweep the house with blossomed broom in May/sweep the head of the household away.” Broom was also used in a decorated bundle of broom at weddings in place of rosemary when that was scarce, and its strong smell was said to be able to tame wild horses and dogs.

Broom shrubs are evergreen and display ornamental green foliage as upward arching stems all year round until the broom flowers at the start of summer. A member of the legume family, Broom spreads its seeds in the heat of summer when the pods explode in the sun.