Genista Hispanica

Genista hispanica is a tough, sun-loving shrub that produces masses of bright yellow, pea-like flowers in late spring, creating a bold display on compact, spiny branches. These seeds are ideal for dry gardens, slopes and exposed sites where many shrubs struggle. Native to the western Mediterranean, this species grows naturally on rocky hillsides and open scrub, thriving in hot, dry conditions with minimal soil fertility. Plants form dense, low mounds of stiff, thorny growth, making them useful for informal hedging, wildlife cover and difficult sites. Flowering is often heaviest after dry summers, when the plants are fully established. Best grown in full sun and very free-draining soil, Genista hispanica is drought tolerant once established and performs poorly in rich or waterlogged ground. Its compact habit and tolerance of exposure make it well suited to gravel gardens and Mediterranean-style planting schemes.