Retama sphaerocarpa
Retama sphaerocarpa · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around retama sphaerocarpa and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to June, highly fragrant white flowers
- Mature size
- 1 to 2 m in height
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -10°C
- Origin
- Arid regions of southern Spain and Morocco
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky, poor and dry
Care
Exposure
Retama sphaerocarpa requires a sunny and warm location, ideally in full sun facing south or southwest. It dislikes shade and stagnant moisture. An open position, even if windy, promotes flowering.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), then space out considerably in autumn and winter. Once established, this plant tolerates drought very well and requires practically no water. Excess moisture is fatal: let the soil dry between waterings.
Soil
Well-drained soil is imperative: add sand or gravel if necessary. Retama thrives in chalky, poor and rocky soils. Avoid heavy clay soils and overly rich soils, which promote rot and fungal diseases.
Fertiliser
This plant, adapted to arid environments, needs only very diluted fertiliser, or no fertiliser at all. A light application in spring is sufficient. Excess nitrogen reduces flowering and weakens drought resistance.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (June-July) to maintain a compact shape. Remove dead or diseased branches in spring. Avoid severe pruning: Retama recovers only with difficulty on old wood.
Diseases and pests
In dry, well-drained conditions, this plant is very resistant. Excessive moisture causes root rot and fungal diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in hot, dry weather. Few insects trouble it; good ventilation alone is enough to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Retama sphaerocarpa is called 'white genista' or 'retama' in Mediterranean areas; its pure white and extremely fragrant flowers produce a sweet and heady perfume that can be detected several metres away. This xerophilic shrub has fascinated botanists and North African landscapers, who have used it for centuries to stabilise dunes and perfume desert gardens.
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
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- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.