Broom (Cytisus) is a sprawling flowering shrub belonging to the Legume family. Wild plantings are found in western Siberia, Europe or Africa. The bushes are distinguished by early flowering and lush crown. Broomsticks have learned to grow in the garden and apartments.
According to the ancient legends of the Celts, the plant is a symbol of well-being and purification. They even dedicated a whole month to him so that people had the opportunity to get rid of their sins, addictions and cleanse their souls. Nowadays, the culture is considered a wonderful gardener for the garden, which has melliferous and medicinal properties.
Description of the plant
Broom bushes or trees reach a height of 0.5-3 m if not pruned. The shoots are protected by a green layer of wood. There are species that have a short pile or a silvery pattern instead of a smooth bark. Young specimens have flexible branches. They tend to lean towards the ground due to the heaviness of the foliage and flowers.
The broom genus consists of a group of deciduous and evergreen species. The foliage sits in regular order on short stalks. The plates are three-lobed, painted in a rich green tone. At the top, the leaves often grow together into a single whole. The size of the plates is about 3-4 cm.
The plant blooms in early summer. Inflorescences remain on the bushes for one month. Varieties have also been developed that dissolve the bud heads shortly before the formation of leaves. Small cluster inflorescences originate from the axillary part of the foliage and are located along the entire shoot. Spongy buds smell good. The color of the flowers is predominantly white, cream, yellow or pink. The calyx, formed from delicate petals, looks like a bell or tube. The size of the flower is about 2-3 cm. A long stamen with an ovary sticks out in the center of the calyx.
When the pollination process ends, the bushes bear fruit in small-seeded pods filled with tiny beans. The walls of the pod burst, and many achenes spill out onto the ground.
Alkaloids are found in the tissues of the broom. This substance, when inhaled in large doses, has a negative effect on the body, so it is better to place the plant away from animals and children. After contact with leaves and flowers, be sure to rinse your hands.
Types and varieties of broom with a photo
Literary sources mention 50 types of shrubs.
Russian broom (Cytisus ruthenicus)
Straight or curved branches of Russian broom grow up to 1.5 m long. They are covered with small oval, sometimes lanceolate leaves and are divided into several lobes. The foliage contains thorny thorns. Yellowish calyces peep out of the sinuses.
Corona broom (Cytisus scoparius)
It belongs to the deciduous type and shows resistance to low temperatures. Thin shoots grow widely to the sides and reach a length of about 3 m. The stems of young bushes are covered with red, fleecy bark. Narrow buds about 2 cm in size are composed of pale yellow petals.Among the most common varieties of broom broom, it is worth highlighting:
- Burkwoodi with scarlet flowers, edged with a yellow border;
- Andreanus Splendens with spotted lemon-red buds;
- Lena, in which the scarlet calyxes of the inflorescences have a golden strip along the entire length.
Creeping broom (Cytisus decumbens)
This species grows in mountainous areas. Shoot height is less than that of other crops. The stems are adjacent to the ground and are able to take root. The structure of the shoots is ribbed. The coloring is presented in shades of green. The shape of the plates is oval, as well as lanceolate. The underside of the leaves is covered with dense pubescence. The inflorescences, hidden in the axils, gather in loose panicles. A small corolla, painted yellow, barely reaches the length of 1.5 cm. Broom blooms in early spring. At the beginning of summer, the beans ripen. The culture can withstand light frosts, but strong winters cause freezing of the bushes.
Early broom (Cytisus praecox)
Curved shoots 1-1.5 m long form a spreading crown and in May are decorated with bright yellow flowers that exude a dizzying persistent aroma. Pale green lanceolate foliage grows 1-2 cm.
Due to its unique decorativeness, the Boskop Ruby variety, bred from the early broom deserves special attention. Spreading wide shoots turn over time into a large lush bush up to 1.5 m long. Delicate green foliage, elongated or lanceolate. The petals are ruby colored on the outside and pink on the inside.
Growing broom
Cultivated species of broom are bred by seed method, by rooting of cuttings, as well as by cuttings. Growing a crop with seeds allows you to get a good result. The bushes are able to sow on their own. The collection of material is carried out in the fall, when the pods are fully ripe. In the spring, they are soaked in warm water for two days. Then you can sow in moist soil.
Gardeners recommend pre-stratifying the seeds for 2 months so that the seedlings are healthier and not sick. The seeds are immersed in the soil 1 cm at intervals of 4 to 6 cm. The seed containers are placed under diffused light at room temperature. Having acquired several leaves, the seedlings dive into separate pots.
The bushes will become much more luxuriant and more attractive if they are pinched in time. In June, the seedlings are transferred to a container one size larger. When the plants are three years old, they begin to transplant into open ground. If in the process the roots are accidentally damaged, the broom may not take root. That is why it is important to keep an earthen lump on the roots.
Summer months are chosen for cutting by cuttings, when flowering ends. Shoots are cut into pieces, keeping 2-3 leaves. The leaves need to be cut in half. The cuttings are dipped in peat mixed with sand, and the containers are stored indoors at a temperature not lower than + 18 ° C. Plants need diffused light. To preserve moisture, the seedlings are covered with a transparent film. It will take about 1-1.5 months for the roots to form. Then the film is removed. The cuttings continue to germinate at room temperature until spring comes.
For propagation of broom, adult healthy bushes are used by layering. The shoots located at the bottom are lowered to the ground and fixed in this position, pouring the soil on top. In the spring of next year, the rooting will take place. Then it is separated and carefully transplanted to a permanent place.
Planting a Raktinik
The broom reacts sharply to transplantation, therefore, the slightest damage or overdrying of the root part is the reason for inhibition of growth and development. Perennials that have been in one place for a long time should not be touched. The soil is selected loose with nutritious content. We are talking about slightly acidic or neutral substrates. Peat, compost, turf or sand are perfect for these purposes.Digging up the site for planting broom, at the same time apply mineral fertilizers.
Drainage is laid in the holes: pebbles or broken brick. The seedlings are carefully deepened, without covering the root collar with earth. Group plantings are organized taking into account the short distance and variety preferences. As a rule, they keep a distance of 30 to 50 cm.
Broom care
Caring for a Raktinik does not present any difficulties. The only condition is the correct landing site. Saplings need diffused light. The sun's rays should touch the leaves only in the morning and evening; on a hot afternoon, burns can form on the leaves. Pets are placed on windowsills facing east or west. Garden bushes will thrive when protected from drafts. Varieties that do not tolerate low temperatures are grown in pots and rearranged in the garden in the summer. As soon as the season is over, the broom is transferred to verandas or other enclosed spaces, where the ambient temperature is from +10 to + 15 ° C.
The plant can withstand prolonged drought and slight flooding of the soil. In the wild, bushes are found near water bodies, so the roots are not afraid of spring floods. However, a constant excess of moisture is contraindicated for seedlings. The same goes for closely spaced groundwater. Watering is provided during periods of dry weather.
For the development of a lush crown and abundant flowering, regular feeding is done. It is recommended to use humus or top dressing with grass mass diluted with water. During the summer, 2-3 sessions are carried out.
The plant also knows how to resist diseases and pests. Rarely, the stems become infected with powdery mildew. Copper sulfate, which is sprinkled on the ground parts of the bushes, helps to stop the spread of the fungus. Leaves attract the ringworm moth. Pests are expelled by spraying with chlorophos.
Broom in landscape design
Broom is planted in groups or singly. Cascades of fresh flowers will perfectly decorate a faded spring garden. It is recommended to plant in the vicinity of the bushes conifers, heather, lilies of the valley or lavender... Dense broom thickets form a slender hedge.
