Spanish Broom

[billeyler]

Nothing says "MAY" in Albuquerque like Spanish Broom. The front one I thought was a goner 1 1/2 years ago from record snowfall squashing it to the ground and breaking over 1/2 its main branches. I cut it WAY back, thinking I'd have to dig the rest of it out...it recovered. With a vengeance. All the other Spanish Broom are all volunteers that I've let flourish. They like it dry.

The fragrance is sometimes overwhelming, like a strong honeysuckle/jasmine, which can be a detriment. They bloom for weeks.

Comments

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

very nice. do the keep the yellow tips or turn green like other shrubbery?

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

They have tiny dark green leaves along a long, very slender green stem. The stem gets woody as the years go by.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartium

One of the fun things about this plant is that in the late summer, the seed pods start cracking open and sound a bit like popcorn (but of course only randomly).

After its spring green and the flowers have faded, it starts to look more like a desert plant.