Cytisus scoparius Burkwoodii

Cytisus scoparius 'Burkwoodii' is an old variety of broom, forming a splendid upright and abundant thicket, covered in gorgeous deep pink flowers with crimson red wings, edged in yellow. This deciduous shrub has a fast growth rate and can be grown in a large pot or in the ground, in light, even sandy and poor, soil. It is an excellent, floriferous, vigorous, and robust variety, to be planted in a large rockery, a border, or on a sunny slope.

Cytisus scoparius 'Burkwoodii', or Burkwood's broom, belongs to the large Fabaceae family. It is a cultivar obtained in England around the middle of the last century by the Burkwood brothers, Albert and Arthur. This excellent cultivar has received the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. Like all brooms, it comes from Cytisus scoparius, a hardy but short-lived shrub, native to central Europe (up to Ukraine) and eastern Europe, spreading as far as North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous soils. 

'Burkwoodii' reaches about 1.5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) in height with a spread of 1.5m (5ft). It has a bushy, erect, fairly dense habit, but with a light appearance due to its small, sparse leaves. The flexible, arched, green stems bear deciduous, simple, alternate, narrow leaves, 5 to 10mm (0.2 to 0.4in) long. In May-June, papilionaceous flowers bloom, 2cm (1in) long, in a pretty mix of warm shades: dark pink on the standard, crimson red to ochre on the wings, edged in creamy yellow. These pea-like flowers bloom in clusters at the ends of the branches. They are followed by the formation of fruits that develop into black pods. The fruit pods can stain whatever they fall on, so prune the bush after flowering. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, around 5 to 8 years.

Cytisus scoparius 'Burkwoodii' deserves to be seen in spring. Plant it near the house, on a large slope, or in the centre of a shrub bed. It can be planted with many shrubs with staggered foliage or flowering: dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis, Abies balsamea 'Nana', white spruces), a tree peony, a small lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), rosemary, or an evergreen ceanothus whose blue flowering will complement its flowers. Deciduous or evergreen spindle trees, shrubby salvias, and perennial geraniums compose beautiful, low-maintenance flower scenes in a wild garden.

Tip: After pruning, use the cut stems to make good garden brooms.