Lydia broom is a low-growing shrub in the legume family native to the Balkans, Turkey and Syria. It is deciduous in northern climates and evergreen in warm winter areas. It generally only reaches 2 feet in height and blooms profusely with yellow pea-like flowers in spring. It is multi-branched and low-growing with an open form and arching branches. It remains attractive even after flowering. The Genus name comes from the Latin name planta genista from which the Plantagenet kings and queens of England took their name. This shrub prefers full sun in well-drained sandy alkaline soil and tolerates poor soil, (it fixes nitrogen) drought, heat, salt and deer. The shrub should only be pruned after flowering. Use this plant in a drought-tolerant garden or xeriscape application. It can be planted in small areas, as a foundation plant or in groups. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for aphids.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Open
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Simple oval leaves are alternate with pinnate venation. They are small, up to 1/2 inch long and spaced about 1/2 inch apart. May have a yellow fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Irregular; Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of 0.4 in. bright yellow pea-shaped flowers cover the shrub in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The brown legumes are oblong, flat, glabrous and mature in fall.