Scientific name: Ulex europaeus
Family: PAPILIONACEAE
Common names: “Gorse” “European furze” “thorn broom”
Evergreen shrub, invasive weed
Root system: Branching taproot
Conditions:
Soil: Grows best in poor sandy, infertile acidic soils
Moisture: Well drained – drought
Light: Full sun
Location: Exposed or sheltered, seaside conditions
Aesthetic:
Size: 4-7′ H & W, fast growing
Leaf and Stem shape: Very spiny branched stems
Flower: Solitary coconut-scented bright yellow flowers, in winter and spring, followed by slender black seed-pods
Zone: 6-8
Landscape use: Remove immediately, can be used in land reclamation of mine tailings
Propagate: By seed and cuttings
Pests & Disease: Nothing serious
Comments: If you hate Scotch broom, wait till you meet Gorse, the evil seaside relative, fixes nitrogen, regionally controlled noxious invasive weed in BC, seed bank will last for a long time
