Upright to gently splaying green stems are studded with small leaves, and then in late spring, an abundance of small pea-like blooms put on a really spectacular show. The flower colour is quite unusual too, being a blend of red, orange and yellow tones - and that makes it ideal for adding early interest to borders with a hot colour scheme. An easy and undemanding shrub, it is happiest in a sunny spot with freely draining soils.
How to care for Cytisus Lena:
Pinch out the shoots of young plants to encourage the development of a bushy habit. It needs to be pruned each year after flowering to ensure a bumper crop of flowers in the following year. Reduce the flowered stems to young sideshoots or low buds, taking care not to cut into the old wood.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1.2m
Eventual spread:
1.2m
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
-
This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
-
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten