Last updated on November 7th, 2024 at 06:15 am
The Spanish Broom Plant (Spartium junceum) is a great semi-evergreen flowering shrub. It can grow up to 8-10 ft. tall and about 5-7 ft. wide. Its native home is the southern Mediterranean region of Europe. A fragrant flowering plant and to me it smells like honey mixed with vanilla,
Where to place this plant?
The plant tolerates poor sandy soils perfect for the desert southwest. A drought-tolerant plant that can be used in a rock garden landscape with smaller perennial or annual plants in the foreground. Place it in the full blazing hot sun and it will thrive there. It is. important not to place it in the shade as it will not bloom. Plant it in the hottest part of your yard.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 – 10 Check your plant zone here.
Spanish Broom Photos
The Spanish Broom Plant in front of a Southwestern style home
The Spanish Broom Plant
During the spring season, it will bloom fragrant yellow flowers. It will produce seed pods in early summer.
The Spanish Broom Plant will do well in Xeriscape landscaping yards or landscapes that need low-water, maintenance-free shrubs. The bright yellow blooms will last about 3-4 weeks in early summer. After that, it is a green plant. Many landscapers will trim back this plant after it is done blooming.
A Spanish broom is tightly trimmed at the bottom. Intense fragrant flowers at top of the plant.
Problems with the Spanish Broom
The main problem is Webworms, and they will attack this plant. Also commonly called “fall webworms”. They feed on the foliage of many types of trees and shrubs. They make large silk webs on the ends of stems or branches. Spraying with a product called “Thuricide will kill them”. Thuricide is a liquid form of bacteria, Bacillus Thuringiensis or more commonly known as “BT”.
Remove Worms Organically
Go organic by tackling the pesky caterpillars and webworms naturally. You can pick them off with tweezers if you’re up for it, or simply set a water bowl nearby. Why? Most birds love feasting on these critters and will help keep your garden in check. So, not only do you avoid chemicals, but you also invite more birds to your yard. Plus, who wouldn’t want to watch a few feathered friends swoop in and handle pests for them? It’s a win-win for you and the environment.
Growth Rate
Moderate growing plant. Will reach 6 ft. in about 4-5 years. Prune in late winter to enhance new growth and flowers in early to mid-spring. You can read more details about this plant over at Wikipedia.com
Another great yellow flower plant is the “Yellow Bells Plant”.
