Ulex gallii
Ulex gallii · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around ulex gallii and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, spiny
- Blooming
- Spring to summer (April-August), golden yellow flowers
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2 m tall, 1 to 1.5 m wide
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Good, down to -10°C
- Origin
- Brittany and French Atlantic coasts
- Soil type
- Acidic to neutral, well-draining, poor
- Exposure
- Full sun required
Care
Exposure
Le Gall's Gorse demands full sun exposure to flourish fully. Partial shade would reduce flowering and weaken the plant. Place it in an open spot, even exposed to coastal winds which it tolerates well.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish roots properly. Once established, Le Gall's Gorse is very drought-tolerant and needs little water. In oceanic climates, natural rainfall is usually sufficient.
Soil Preparation
Choose acidic to neutral soil and ensure it drains well: Gorse fears waterlogging. It adapts to poor, rocky soils. Improve drainage with sand or gravel if needed.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to keep a compact, dense shape. Caution: the plant is very spiny, use gloves and sturdy pruners. Avoid severe pruning that would compromise its vigor.
Fertilization
Le Gall's Gorse, a plant of poor terrain, requires minimal fertilizer. A light application of acidic soil plant fertilizer in spring is enough. Avoid excessive nitrogen which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and Diseases
Very hardy plant, it's rarely affected by diseases. Watch for excess moisture which can cause root rot. Aphids may occasionally infest it, but the plant generally recovers well.
Did you know?
Le Gall's Gorse owes its name to French botanist Louis-Augustin-Guillaume Bosc who named it in honor of Ange-Marie-Louis-Auge Le Gall, a Breton explorer. Historically, Breton gorses symbolized the pride and independence of the region. Their bright yellow flowers have brightened coastal heaths for centuries and remain a botanical emblem of the French Atlantic coast.
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.