Cytisus racemosus Phebus

Cytisus racemosus Phebus ('GENI138'), also known as Genista x spachiana 'GENI138' PHEBUS, is a variety of broom from Tenerife recently selected by the INRA for its naturally regular, more compact and more branched habit than the species, not requiring pruning. Its vegetation almost disappears in March-April under an abundance of highly fragrant flowers, which are a beautiful golden yellow with a hint of orange. It is an evergreen bush that is certainly sensitive to cold, but generous and undemanding. All these qualities make it a very beautiful variety for small gardens in mild climates, including seaside gardens. Elsewhere, grow it in a large pot on a terrace or balcony and protect from severe cold in winter.

Cytisus racemosa or Genista x spachiana (synonym: Cytisus racemosus), sometimes called florist's broom, belongs to the large Fabaceae family. It is a spontaneous hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of the broom species Genista canariensis and G. stenopetala, both native to the Canary Islands. These Mediterranean shrubs are not very hardy but well adapted to light, sandy and dry soils in summer, slightly acidic, neutral or slightly calcareous, as well as to winds carrying sea spray. Genista racemosa is commonly cultivated in flowering pots by florists.

This cultivar was obtained in France in 2007 by the INRA of Angers in collaboration with Eurogeni, and introduced to the horticultural market in 2015. Like all brooms and cytisus, it is a fast-growing shrub with a short lifespan. Its foliage persists throughout the year in mild climates.

This Phebus broom, averaging 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in height and 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in spread, naturally develops a rounded, regular, dense bushy habit, but with a light appearance, due to its slender stems. The flexible and branched stems are green in colour, and bear dark green slightly greyish, slightly silvery leaves, measuring 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm (0.6 in to 1 in) long and divided into 3 small leaflets. Pea-like flowers appear in April-May, depending on the climate, and last for several weeks until June. The flowers measure 1 cm (0.4 in) long, and are arranged at the top of the stems in clusters 15 cm (5.9 in) long. They are numerous and have a very warm yellow colour, lightly tinged with orange. Their pronounced fragrance attracts pollinating insects and perfumes a whole area of the garden or terrace. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, about 5 to 8 years. All parts of it are toxic if ingested.

The Phebus broom deserves to be seen and smelled in spring. Place it in a large pot on a terrace to enjoy its heady fragrance. It also suits dry or coastal gardens protected from severe frost. For example, place it at the corner of the house, on a well-drained slope, or in a large shrub bed serving as a focal point in the centre of a small garden. It can be grown alongside many shrubs with staggered foliage or flowering: dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis, Abies balsamea 'Nana', white spruce), an evergreen wallflower 'Bowles Mauve', blue or mauve aubrietas, rosemary, or a creeping ceanothus whose blue flowering complements the broom's yellow flowers. Evergreen artemisias, blue or white evergreen salvias and perennial geraniums compose beautiful maintenance-free flowering scenes in a wild garden.