SPANISH GOLD® broom
Cytisus purgans
SPANISH GOLD® broom (Cytisus purgans) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Bright yellow pea flowers in late spring; nitrogen-fixing legume; deer-resistant.
Plant Select®low water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Rafael Medina, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: Balles2601 (iNaturalist profile: Balles2601), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 6: Francdubtes, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Needs sharp drainage, rots in clay. Very drought tolerant.
- Pruning: light.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SPANISH GOLD® broom good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, SPANISH GOLD® broom is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does SPANISH GOLD® broom get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant SPANISH GOLD® broom?
- Space SPANISH GOLD® broom about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is SPANISH GOLD® broom hardy on the Front Range?
- SPANISH GOLD® broom is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does SPANISH GOLD® broom need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does SPANISH GOLD® broom grow?
- SPANISH GOLD® broom is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is SPANISH GOLD® broom native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is SPANISH GOLD® broom deer-resistant?
- SPANISH GOLD® broom is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
