Genista tinctoria Royal Gold

Genista tinctoria Royal Gold is a compact and very floriferous variety of the dyer's broom. It forms a bush whose dense vegetation truly disappears during a long summer period under a multitude of large, cone-shaped panicles of bright golden yellow. Just like lavenders and Nepetas, with which it associates perfectly in flower beds and rockeries, it craves sunlight and does not fear poor soil. Fairly hardy, it prefers well-drained, poor, not too dry soils.

Most brooms originate from the Mediterranean arc and the Middle East, they tolerate poor soils and generally prefer mild to warm climates. This one, called dyer's broom, common broom, bastard broom or yellowing herb, is no exception to the rule, but it resists cold better than intense droughts. Mediterranean summers, for example, are not suitable for this species native to central Europe and western Asia. However, it is not demanding in terms of soil type and accepts the presence of limestone, without excess.

The 'Royal Gold' cultivar, slow-growing and with weak suckering, will reach about 60cm (23.6in) in height and 90cm (35.4in) to 1m (3ft 4in) in diameter after many years. Its habit is bushy, rounded, dense, slightly spreading. This compact shrub is composed of multiple cylindrical and slightly arched, finely branched, green-coloured stems. They bear deciduous, bright green foliage, composed of tiny oval-lanceolate leaves that often fall with the arrival of summer heat, photosynthesis being carried out by the green stems. The very long and abundant flowering takes place from May to July, in the form of countless upright conical spikes 8cm (3.1in) tall, composed of bright yellow pea-like flowers. It is not uncommon to see a second flowering in September-October. 

Genista tinctoria 'Royal Gold' is perfect for filling a large rocky slope, the top of a wall, or even a large border. Also consider using it in a container to decorate the surroundings of your house, for example. Make the most of its yellow flowering by associating it with other varieties of brooms or other shrubs whose flowering is simultaneous, like Lithodora or certain lavenders. You can also use it to extend the flowering period of your flower beds; forsythia blooms earlier, while St. John's wort and white buddleia bloom at the same time, and Afghan sage until October. What is certain is that your Genista tinctoria 'Royal Gold', no matter where you choose to place it in the garden, will bring a wonderful source of light and intense cheerfulness.