Cytisus x kewensis Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 50cm
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 6a – 9b
Family: Fabaceae
Cytisus x kewensis is a semi-prostrate, semi-evergreen shrub. Its mid green leaves are trifoliate, up to 15mm long and hairy while young. Its young shoots are green. Its fragrant pale yellow flowers are typical pea like flowers, are sterile, are 2cm tall and 2cm wide. Its roots of this plant fix nitrogen in the soil.
Cytisus x kewensis, commonly known as Broom, was discovered at Kew Gardens, London. It is a cross between Cytisus ardoini and Cytisus multiflorus.
The etymological root of the binomial name Cytisus is derived from the Greek Kytisos ‘a kind of clover’, in reference to the leaves of this plant. Kewensis is a Latinised name, in reference to it origins at Kew Gardens.
Cytisus x kewensis (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Cytisus x kewensis useful as an effective, free flowering ground cover plant. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, C. x kewensis is attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given C. x kewensis their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
C. x kewensis prefers moist, well-drained, sandy soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.
Cytisus x kewensis requires little maintenance.
