Genista sagittalis winged broom

Winged broom or arrow-shaped broom is an attractive species from the fabaceae family. Its natural habitat spreads from South and Central Europe to Balkan. It forms low shrubs with green, prostrate branches and profusion of flowers.

Winged broom is cultivated for its showy, bright yellow flowers formed in short, terminal racemes from late May for at least 4 weeks or sometimes more. Its name refers to the stems which are covered with narrow, about 3-5 mm wide wings all along their lengths. They are permanently green which makes an illusion of an evergreen plant. But a plant may be called evergreen when it has persistent leaves and winged broom has deciduous leaves. And to be honest, there are very few of them. They are small, hairy, elliptic to heart-shaped, and bright green.

Winged broom is a slow growing, mat-forming plant whose stems easily root when they touch the ground. Pruning is not required or even recommended. It is a beautiful rock garden plant of unusual architecture which works both on its own or mixed with other xeriscape beauties. It likes sun and heat but is very hardy. It needs well-drained, dry to moderately moist soil. Hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 05-10-2021