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Genista linifolia

needle-leaved broom

Fabaceae

Western Mediterranean and Canary Islands

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Genista linifolia is an erect evergreen shrub 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall with slender green stems and leaves divided into three narrow leaflets 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, green above and covered with silky white hairs beneath. In spring the branch tips carry clusters of yellow pea-shaped flowers, each about 0.4 inch (10 mm) long. Small hairy pods follow, each holding several hard seeds that can stay viable in the soil for many years. Genista linifolia is native to the western Mediterranean and the Canary Islands and is a declared environmental weed in southern Australia and parts of California, where it forms dense thickets in bushland, on roadsides, and after fire. Seed germinates strongly following disturbance or burning, which lets it dominate cleared ground. The shrub is hardy, drought tolerant, and fixes nitrogen, but its heavy seeding and dense growth crowd out native plants. All parts contain quinolizidine alkaloids that are toxic if eaten.

Native Range

Genista linifolia is native to the western Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands. It has naturalised as an environmental weed in southern Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and California, mainly on disturbed and burnt ground.

Suggested Uses

Genista linifolia was once planted as a hardy flowering and screening shrub for dry soils, but in southern Australia and California it is now listed for control rather than planting because of its weediness. It is found mainly as a self-sown weed of bushland and roadsides rather than as a garden plant.

How to Identify

Identify by the slender green stems, leaves of three narrow leaflets that are green above and silky-white-hairy beneath, and the clusters of yellow pea flowers in spring. Small hairy pods follow the flowers. The three-part hairy leaves separate it from Cytisus spp. brooms, which often have reduced or simple leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, mainly August to November in its naturalised southern range. The yellow pea flowers open in dense clusters at the branch tips over several weeks. Hairy pods form afterward and shed seed in summer, often with an audible split.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Genista linifolia grows in full sun on a wide range of well-drained soils and tolerates poor, sandy, and rocky ground. Once established it is hardy and drought tolerant and fixes nitrogen through its roots. It is not planted in regions where it is a declared weed, because it seeds heavily and forms dense thickets. Control combines removing plants before they seed with follow-up on the long-lived soil seed bank, which can germinate strongly after fire or clearing. All parts contain alkaloids toxic to people and livestock if eaten.

Pruning

Where it is grown as an ornamental, light pruning after flowering limits seed set and keeps the shrub dense. Cutting alone does not kill established plants, which reshoot from the base. Lifting whole plants with the roots before pods ripen is the main way to limit spread.