Cytisus oromediterraneus
Cytisus oromediterraneus · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cytisus oromediterraneus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, fine and airy
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May), bright yellow flowers
- Mature size
- 0.5 to 1.5 m tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate, Mediterranean and warm temperate zones
- Origin
- Southern Spain and North Africa (Mediterranean mountains)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, poor to moderate, tolerates limestone
Care
Exposure
Plant your Carthusian pink in full sun for generous flowering. It also tolerates partial shade but will flower less abundantly. Protect it from strong drying winds in exposed Mediterranean regions.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish the root system. Once established, it's a very drought-tolerant plant. In humid climates, limit watering to prevent root rot.
Soil
Carthusian pink prefers light, well-drained soils. Enrich the planting hole with sand or gravel if your soil is clay-based. Avoid soils that are constantly wet or waterlogged.
Pruning and cutting
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and prevent thinning. Shorten branches by half. Avoid severe pruning on old wood, which regrows with difficulty.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary except in very poor soil. Like all Fabaceae, this plant fixes atmospheric nitrogen through its roots. A modest compost application in spring is more than sufficient.
Diseases and pests
This is a robust plant seldom affected by diseases. In overly humid conditions, root rot may occur. Watch for aphids in spring. Good air circulation prevents most problems.
Did you know?
Carthusian pink owes its common name to its historical properties: its seeds and bark were long used in traditional herbal medicine in the Mediterranean basin. The bright flowers and spectacular spring flowering of this small shrub also make it a prized ornamental plant for dry gardens, where it shines in spring like a small golden flame.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese wisteriaWisteria sinensis
- Common broomCytisus scoparius
- Black locustRobinia pseudoacacia
- Common PeaLathyrus oleraceus
- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.