SafePlants

Warminster Broom (Cytisus x praecox)

Warminster Broom is a popular garden shrub known for its profusion of flowers in spring. It is a hybrid of the Cytisus genus, cherished for its aesthetic appeal and relatively easy cultivation.

Considerations for Pets

• Cytisus x praecox is a deciduous shrub.
• It is a fast-growing but short-lived shrub that is covered by flowers in spring and early summer.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cytisus x praecox
• Common Name: Warminster Broom
• Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
• Other names: Cytisus X Praecox Albus, White Broom, White Warminster Broom

Distribution and Habitat

• Originates from Europe.
• Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Morphological Characteristics

• A bushy shrub with dense shoots.
• Reaches "man's height" when older.
• Has greyish-green, long, rod-like, often overhanging shoots.
• Deciduous, but with largely green stems.
• Tiny, silky, grey-green leaves with 3 leaflets.
• Produces numerous yellow or creamy yellow, slightly fragrant, pea-like flowers from April to May.

Growth Habits

• Fast-growing but short-lived.
• Deciduous in colder climates, potentially evergreen in milder ones.
• Grows to a medium shrub size, approximately 150 cm in height and 100 cm in diameter.
• Exhibits a shrubby, hemispherical form.
• Can be used as a group plant or solitaire.

Varieties

• 'All Gold': A variety of Cytisus x praecox with bright flowers.
• 'Hollandia': A type of Warminster broom that grows to about 4 feet tall.
• Cytisus X Praecox Albus: produces graceful, creamy white scented flowers for spring to early summer

Hybrids

• Kew broom (Cytisus kewensis): A hybrid between C. ardoinii and C. multiflorus.