Ulex/Gorse shrub help

[Jaimx86]

I love this shrub and want to add it's beautiful bright yellow to my garden.

Before I purchase, can anyone tell me if it's easy to look after? Does it grow rapidly it should I buy it at the size I want it?

[shovetheholly]

Wait a second... are we talking about growing native gorse in your garden here? Or are you talking about one of the tamer garden varieties of broom??

There are a couple of things to be aware of with native gorse - it is really spiny and vigorous (so requiring lots of management) and tends to seed all over the place, which means weeding. It also tends to grow in quite specific conditions.

I think you might be able to get cultivars that are a bit tamer, though not sure. Hopefully someone else can advise!

[Jaimx86]

Thanks. Just looked at broom and it looks the same (to me), so maybe I'd be better with that option. I'm trying to get into gardening but it all seems so tricky!

[shovetheholly]

It is VERY confusing at the start, but as soon as you start doing it, you get the hang! (honest). One thing is that there are so many plants that will grow in the UK, and no book can cover all of them over every month. However, once you've figured out the first year - when things grow, when they die back, when they need pruning or cutting back or dividing or any other attention - it gets much easier.

Broom (Cytisus, which I always mispronounce cystitis ) is a lovely plant! It relishes really, really well-drained soil in sun. If you are on sandy soil, no problem, but if you're on clay you need to dig in loads of grit to help it out!