Cytisus scoparius Vanesse

Cytisus scoparius 'Vanesse' is a variety of broom offering an abundant golden yellow flowering, marked with red, from May to June. This deciduous shrub presents a dense tuft of very fine green stems, which are initially erect and then arched as they bend under thousands of bright flowers completely covering its branches! Its medium green, fine and trifoliate foliage appears at the same time as the flowers but remains very discreet. Its compact dimensions make it compatible with small gardens and container cultivation. It is an easy plant to grow in the sun, in soils that are not too rich or heavy. Use it to decorate a rockery or slope or to complement a border with other perennials and wild-looking shrubs.

Cytisus scoparius 'Vanesse' belongs to the large Fabaceae family. It is a compact and floriferous cultivar. 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 as far as North Africa. This species is found in dry places, on rather acidic and siliceous soils. 

'Vanesse' reaches 1m (3ft) high and 1.5m (5ft) wide. it has a bushy, erect, fairly dense, but light appearance due to its very small and sparse leaves. The flexible, arched, green stems bear deciduous, simple, alternate leaves measuring 5 to 10mm (0.2 to 0.4in) in length. In May-June, golden yellow papilionaceous flowers with red centres appear, 2cm (1n) long. These pea-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 lightly after flowering. The lifespan of this plant is quite short, around 5 to 8 years.

'Vanesse' deserves to be seen in spring. Plant it near the house, on a large slope, or make it the centrepiece of a large shrub border. It can be planted with many shrubs with staggered foliage or flowering: dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis, Abies balsamea 'Nana', white spruce), a shrubby peony, a small-sized lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), rosemary, or an evergreen ceanothus whose blue flowering will complement its yellow flowers. Deciduous or evergreen small spindles, shrubby salvias and perennial geraniums compose beautiful, maintenance-free flowering scenes in a wild garden.

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