Dyer's broom
Genista tinctoria · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around dyer's broom and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April to June)
- Mature size
- 0.6 to 1 m tall, 1 to 1.5 m spread
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Western and central Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rather poor, acidic to neutral
Care
Exposure
Plant your dyer's broom in full sun for generous flowering. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less abundantly. It's a very light-loving plant that performs best in south or west-facing exposure.
Watering
Water moderately after planting, then very little once established. This hardy plant resists drought and fears excess moisture. In very dry regions, occasional watering in summer is enough.
Soil
Dyer's broom prefers well-drained, light and even poor soil. Avoid overly rich or chalky soils. Adding sand or gravel improves drainage if your soil is clayey.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact and dense form. Avoid cutting into very old wood. A rejuvenation every 10 to 15 years allows you to revitalize the plant.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary; this plant grows on poor soils. Excess fertility risks reducing flowering in favor of foliage.
Diseases and pests
Dyer's broom is very robust and rarely affected. In waterlogged soil, it may suffer from root rot. Aerate well and improve drainage if problems occur.
Did you know?
Genista tinctoria long provided a vibrant yellow dye highly prized in the Middle Ages and Renaissance for fabrics and illuminated manuscripts. Combined with indigo, it produced the brilliant green of royal robes. Its Latin name "tinctoria" directly testifies to this ancient dyeing heritage.
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.