Creeping broom, Creeping hairy broom
Genista pilosa procumbens

Family: Leguminosae

What it is like

Genista pilosa procumbens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Poor, dry, sandy, and stony soils

Europe. Native range from southern Sweden to the Mediterranean; in dry summer areas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A good high density groundcover. Nitrogen Fixer. Location: Border, Ground Cover, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Wildlife Garden, Woodland Garden. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Evergreen prostrate shrub. Flowers, golden-yellow, cover the plants in late spring to early summer. Poor, dry, sandy, and stony soils. Full sun or part shade and well drained soil. Soil pH: Acid/Neutral/Alkaline. Foot Traffic: Light. Drought tolerant. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread.

Propagating it: Seed: Easy. Cover seed and germinate at 55-65F/13-18C. Chipping and soaking may aid germination. Do not transplant. Cuttings taken in summer, or by simple layering. Tip cuttings about 3-6 cm may be taken in mid-summer and rooted in a mist chamber or shaded frame.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 6-8

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Creeping broom, Creeping hairy broom, Hairy broom 'Procumbens'

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.