Cytisus scoparius Luna

Cytisus scoparius 'Luna' is an old but vigorous and hardy variety of broom, forming a splendid upright and abundant thicket, covered with flowers of a softly and infinitely bright lemon-yellow. This deciduous bush with rapid growth can be cultivated in a large container or in open ground, in light, even sandy and poor soil. It is an excellent variety, floriferous and robust, to be planted in a large rockery, a flower bed, or on a sunny slope.

Cytisus scoparius 'Luna' belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a cultivar obtained in Germany in 1959. Like all brooms, it comes from Cytisus scoparius, a hardy but short-lived bush, native to central (up to Ukraine) and eastern Europe, widespread to North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous soils. 

This 'Luna' broom, reaching a height of 1.5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) with a spread of 1.5m (5ft), develops a bushy, erect, fairly dense habit, but with a light appearance due to its very small leaves. Its flexible, arched, green stems bear deciduous, simple, alternate leaves, measuring 5 to 10mm (0.2 to 0.4in) in length. In May-June, it bears papilionaceous flowers, 2cm (0.8 in) long. Each pale-yellow flower is adorned with golden yellow wings. 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 to prevent fruit production. The lifespan of this plant is fairly short, around 5 to 8 years.

'Luna' can be planted with numerous shrubs with staggered foliage or flowering: dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis, Abies balsamea 'Nana', white spruces), a shrubby peony, a moderately sized lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), rosemary, or an evergreen ceanothus whose blue flowering will complement the yellow flowers. Deciduous or evergreen spindle trees, shrubby salvias, and perennial geraniums compose beautiful, low-maintenance flowering scenes with it in a wild garden.

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