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(Genista hispanica)
Spanish Gorse (Genista hispanica)
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Yves Bas
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Yves Bas
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Yves Bas | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Yves Bas | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-10T07:45:57-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Genista hispanica, commonly known as Spanish Gorse, is a deciduous shrub native to the open woodlands, heathlands, and rocky sites in Western Europe, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and spreads 3-9 feet (0.9-2.7 meters) wide. The plant has a dense, spiny, and broom-like appearance with small, green leaves. It produces profuse bright yellow, pea-like flowers in late spring, which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Spanish Gorse is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens. Its bright yellow flowers add a splash of color in the spring, and its spiny branches can provide a defensive barrier. It is often used in rock gardens, as a ground cover, or for stabilizing slopes and banks. Spanish Gorse requires full sun and well-drained soil, and once established, it has low water requirements. It is not known for having aggressive roots or being particularly prone to diseases, but it can be invasive in some regions outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Spanish Gorse is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens. Its bright yellow flowers add a splash of color in the spring, and its spiny branches can provide a defensive barrier. It is often used in rock gardens, as a ground cover, or for stabilizing slopes and banks. Spanish Gorse requires full sun and well-drained soil, and once established, it has low water requirements. It is not known for having aggressive roots or being particularly prone to diseases, but it can be invasive in some regions outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 1.5-3 feet
- Width: 3-9 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, heathlands, and rocky sites in Western Europe, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula
Other Names
Common Names: Spanish Broom, Anlaga
Scientific Names: , Genista hispanica, Genista hispanica var. villosa, Spartium hispanicum, Cytisus hispanicus, Lissera hispanica, Listera hispanica, Telinaria hispanica, Ulex hispanicus, Voglera hispanica,
GBIF Accepted Name: Genista hispanica L.