Petty Whin
(Genista anglica)
Petty Whin (Genista anglica)
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Andrew Melton
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Andrew Melton
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Andrew Melton | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Andrew Melton | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-07-01T15:36:16Z |






















Estimated Native Range
Summary
Genista anglica, commonly known as Petty Whin, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe. It typically grows up to 3 feet tall and can spread to about the same width. The plant has a dense, spiny, and compact form, with small, bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when the plant is covered in bloom. The green stems and tiny leaves give it a fine-textured appearance year-round.
Petty Whin is appreciated for its hardiness and ability to thrive in poor, acidic, and well-drained soils, making it a suitable choice for challenging garden sites. It is often used in naturalistic plantings, as ground cover, and in ecological restoration projects. In cultivation, it requires full sun to light shade and minimal water once established, reflecting its adaptation to dry, open habitats. While not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can be sensitive to root disturbance. Its nitrogen-fixing capability enriches the soil, benefiting other nearby plants.CC BY-SA 4.0
Petty Whin is appreciated for its hardiness and ability to thrive in poor, acidic, and well-drained soils, making it a suitable choice for challenging garden sites. It is often used in naturalistic plantings, as ground cover, and in ecological restoration projects. In cultivation, it requires full sun to light shade and minimal water once established, reflecting its adaptation to dry, open habitats. While not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can be sensitive to root disturbance. Its nitrogen-fixing capability enriches the soil, benefiting other nearby plants.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Width: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Other Names
Common Names: Petty Whin, Needle Whin
Scientific Names: , Genista anglica, Genista anglica var. subinermis, Genista britannica, Genista germanica var. subinermis, Genista inermis, Genista minor, Lissera anglica, Listera anglica, Phyllobotrys anglica
GBIF Accepted Name: