Ulex parviflorus
Ulex parviflorus · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around ulex parviflorus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Ulex parviflorus
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Form
- Spiny shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring (March-May)
- Adult size
- 1 to 1.5 m in height
- Hardiness
- Hardy to -5 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin (Spain, Portugal)
Care
Sunlight
Plant Ulex parviflorus in full sun to encourage generous, dense flowering. This Mediterranean shrub thrives in hot, sunny exposures. Avoid shade, which would reduce flower production.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining soil, even poor or sandy, as this shrub tolerates lean terrain. Excess moisture and heavy soils should be avoided. Adding coarse sand improves drainage if necessary.
Watering
Water moderately at planting and during the first year. Once established, Ulex parviflorus is very drought-tolerant and requires practically no watering. Reduce to a minimum in autumn and winter.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape. Avoid cutting old wood, as it regrows with difficulty. An annual trim is sufficient to remove dead or misplaced branches.
Fertilising
This shrub is generally not demanding thanks to its root nodules that fix nitrogen symbiotically. A very modest application of balanced fertiliser in spring is more than sufficient.
Health and pests
Ulex parviflorus is very robust and rarely suffers from disease in appropriate conditions. Only excess moisture can encourage root rot. Check drainage and avoid overwatering.
Did you know?
Ulex parviflorus, called small-flowered gorse, is a typically Mediterranean shrub with excellent hardiness that produces bright yellow flowers and attracts pollinators. Its stems are covered with fine spines that protect it from herbivores and make it an excellent natural windbreak on windy coasts. This pioneer shrub also colonises degraded soils and contributes to their improvement through nitrogen fixation by its symbiotic roots.
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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- Common PeaLathyrus oleraceus
- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.