This is a new plant that I added to my garden last year. The plant is a Cytisus or "Broom". I had seen pictures of this plant at Master Gardener presentation, but had never seen one in the local nurseries. Last summer at a local box store, I found several for sale and I purchased one. It was just a one gallon size but it grew a foot the first year and bloomed. The flowers are very fragrant and look like the flowers of peas. The plant is a member of the legume family. A Broom can grow fairly large depending on the variety. It is hardy to zones 3 to 7. This shrub is not picky about where it is planted except for deep shade. It doesn't mind drought, pollution, seashores (salt), slopes, wind, dry soil, infertile soil or fertile soil. Rabbits and deers do not like this shrub. The "Broom" does like sandy soil and performs best in poor soil. It needs full sun. This is a plant that is grown for it's flowers not it's foliage. The leaves are very tiny with whippy stems. Brooms do need pruning to keep them blooming. Brooms produce seed that can be planted or you can take cutting to start additional plants. You might want to give this shrub a try in a mixed perennial and shrub border. It will give you lots of flower color.The Creative Gardener
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