Cytisus scoparius Andreanus

Cytisus scoparius f. andreanus is a floriferous, vigorous variety of broom bush, forming a flamboyant mass in spring. Its long and slender upright stems are covered in brightly bi-coloured pea flowers in golden yellow and deep purple-red. A beautiful plant for coastal areas or light, non-calcareous, even dry soils in full sun.

Cytisus scoparius f. andreanus is a horticultural selection from Pépinières Minier. It belongs to the large Fabaceae family. Like all broom bushes, it originates from Cytisus scoparius, a hardy but short-lived shrub native to central and eastern Europe (up to Ukraine) and spread to North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous soils. It is cold-resistant, and tolerant of salt spray and salty soils.

This fast-growing broom reaches about 2m (7ft) in all directions, depending on growing conditions. It has a bushy, upright, quite dense habit, but with a light appearance due to its slender stems and small leaves. The flexible, arching, green stems bear dark green trifoliate leaves measuring 5 to 10mm (0.2 to 0.4in) in length. They are deciduous and fall quite rapidly in spring. Flowering occurs in May-June, with bi-coloured papilionaceous flowers measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in length. These pea flowers bloom in clusters, mostly at the upper part of the branches. Pollinated by bees, they give way to flat, black pod-shaped fruits. The fruit pods can stain whatever they fall on, so prune the bush after flowering. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, around 5 to 8 years.

It deserves to be seen in spring. Plant it near the house, on a large slope, or in the centre of a shrub bed. It can be planted with numerous foliage shrubs, spring-flowering, or staggered-flowering plants: a tree peony, a small-sized lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), baptisias, an abelia, or a small white spirea (Spiraea 'Grefsheim'), whose flowering will temper its abundance of multicoloured flowers. Deciduous or evergreen small euonymus, shrubby salvias, and perennial grasses create beautiful maintenance-free flower scenes in a wild garden.

Tips: After pruning, use the cut stems to make good garden brooms.