Lydian Broom flock

Genista lydia is a dwarf, deciduous shrub from the Balkans that perfectly captures the sun-drenched aesthetic of the Mediterranean. It features a unique, arching habit with slender, blue-green stems that remain attractive even after the tiny leaves have fallen. In late spring and early summer, the plant is almost entirely obscured by a spectacular display of bright, golden-yellow pea-like flowers. Its prostrate, cascading form makes it a magnificent choice for planting at the top of a dry stone wall, in a large rockery, or over the edge of a raised bed. It reaches a height of about 60cm but can spread significantly wider. In the UK, Genista lydia thrives in poor, sandy, or stony soils and is extremely drought-tolerant. It requires full sun to flower well and maintain its tight, mounding shape. It is a low-maintenance plant that needs very little pruning, although light trimming after flowering can help keep it tidy. It is hardy throughout most of the UK.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, poor soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.