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Genista

Jules1MJules1M Posts: 12
in Plants
Hello, I'm new to gardening & bought a Genista last summer, it flowered lovely but appeared to die over the winter.  I liked it so much I bought a replacement a few weeks ago but it appears to be dying again. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Its in a pot if that makes a difference?  Thank you.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have you got a photo? Many plants struggled through winter, but Genistas are very tough plants. What variety was it? Was it in a pot too?
    They aren't great for pots long term, but if you've just bought a new one, that seems odd. Has it dried out?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Jules1MJules1M Posts: 12
    We've had plenty of rain here!! But I've been careful not to let it dry out on the odd sunny day, was healthy when I bought it but has gone downhill since ... hope photos help.  Thank you for replying.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Was it undercover when you bought it? If so, it may have needed a bit of acclimatising before planting out. It's the racemosus one - I zoomed in on the label, and they aren't as hardy as most of the others, and need protection until conditions are frost free. I always forget about that one, as it wouldn't survive outside all year round here.

    If you can move it to a very sheltered spot, or bring it indoors, it should hopefully recover - fingers crossed. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Jules1MJules1M Posts: 12
    Thank you, I'll try to protect it more.  What would be the best variety to purchase in the future?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Almost any other one   ;)
    The vast majority of Cytisus [brooms] are very, very hardy, so look for those rather than the Genista ones. They're also broom, but there's a bit of difference between the types, as you've found! 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Unless you get a steady, vertical downpour, rain is not going to be enough to water a plant in a pot because the foliage and stems will stop a lot of it falling on the compost.   You need to water regularly, feed occasionally and keep tender plants sheltered till after the frosts are over.

    In my experience, brooms are short-lived plants, even in the ground, and only live a few years.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Cytisus racemosus is native to the Canary islands, which perhaps gives an idea of the sort of conditions it prefers...  the flowers smell gorgeous though, so it might be worth cosseting if you have somewhere like a conservatory where it can live during the winter.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I love genistas but have given up on them as they only seem to live about 5 years.
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