Cytisus scoparius Golden Sunlight

Cytisus scoparius 'Golden Sunlight' is a variety of broom valued for its graceful habit and the abundance of its flowering. It quickly forms a wide bush made up of multiple upright stems with a slightly trailing habit, which disappear in spring under a profusion of bright and pleasantly fragrant clusters. It is a beautiful plant that will enliven sunny flower beds, slopes, and rock gardens.

Cytisus 'Golden Sunlight' belongs to the large Fabaceae family. Like all brooms, it comes from Cytisus scoparius, a hardy but short-lived shrub, native to Central Europe (up to Ukraine) and Eastern Europe, widespread to North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous (sandy) soils. 

'Golden Sunlight' is a fast-growing, vigorous shrub, wider than tall, reaching about 1m (3ft) in height and 1.3m (4ft) in spread. It has a bushy, dense, erect but divergent habit, and flexible and arched stems that remain green throughout the seasons. They bear very small leaves, which fall quite quickly in spring. In May-June, its pea-like flowers, 2cm (1in) long, appear in dense clusters at the upper part of the stems. They are of a bright, perfectly uniform yellow, and exude a pleasant fragrance that attracts bees. These flowers are followed by the formation of fruit in the shape of small flattened pods. The pods are initially olive-coloured, before turning black. The fruit pods can stain whatever they fall on, so prune the bush after flowering. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, about 5 to 8 years.

Cytisus 'Golden Sunlight' is suitable for planting on a slope, in a large rock garden, or in a raised flower bed. It prefers a location in full sun, in well-drained soil. It can be planted with numerous foliage shrubs, or spring flowering or summer flowering plants: other broom bushes with white, orange, or red flowers, a small white spirea (Spiraea prunifolia), aromatic wormwoods, cotton lavenders, or a trailing ceanothus with blue flowers, for example. It can also be grown in a large container to decorate the terrace or balcony.