Boskoop Ruby Broom Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia'
ABOUT
Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', commonly known as Scotch broom 'Hollandia', is an ornamental shrub notable for its vibrant display of flowers and fine-textured foliage. Its branches are slender and arch gracefully, covered with small, trifoliate leaves that give the plant a feathery appearance. These leaves are typically a bright green color, which forms a colorful backdrop for the plant's most striking feature – its flowers. The flowers of the Scotch broom 'Hollandia' are profuse and eye-catching. They boast a radiant blend of deep pink and red hues, with the petals sometimes having a slightly lighter shade or streaks, providing a two-toned effect. Clover-like in shape, the flowers typically appear in late spring to early summer, clustered densely along the branches, creating a spectacular floral display that can envelop the entire shrub. After the blooming period, the flowers are followed by small seed pods. This shrub's overall appearance, with its masses of bright flowers and delicate leaves, can add a splash of color and texture to gardens. It is commonly used in landscaping for its decorative appeal and ability to attract pollinators like bees.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Boskoop Ruby Broom, Hollandia Broom
Common names
Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia'.
ToxicityTo humans
Scotch Broom (Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia') contains toxic alkaloids, which can be harmful if ingested. The symptoms of poisoning by Scotch Broom typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can result in low blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, and potentially cardiovascular issues. It is advisable to avoid ingestion of any part of this plant to prevent these adverse effects.
To pets
Scotch Broom (Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia') is toxic to pets due to the presence of alkaloids, such as sparteine and isosparteine. Potential symptoms of Scotch Broom poisoning in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. More serious cases could experience changes in heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tremors, or coordination problems. It is important for pet owners to keep this plant out of reach of their animals to avoid these toxic effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', commonly known as the Scotch Broom 'Hollandia', features vibrant deep pink flowers which add aesthetic value to gardens.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal watering, making it suitable for xeriscaping or regions with water scarcity.
- Low Maintenance: This plant generally has low maintenance requirements, needing little care beyond pruning to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
- Attracts Pollinators: The bright flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Fast Growth: It has a rapid growth rate, quickly filling in spaces and providing fast results for landscaping projects.
- Soil Adaptability: It can thrive in a variety of soil types, including poor soils, which makes it versatile in different garden settings.
- Erosion Control: The Scotch Broom ‘Hollandia’ can be used on slopes and banks for erosion control, thanks to its root system that stabilizes the soil.
- Deer Resistance: It is generally resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem for gardeners.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', more commonly known as Hollandia Broom, has occasionally been used in floral arrangements due to its bright, attractive flowers, adding height and a splash of color.
- Landscaping can benefit from Hollandia Broom as it is utilized for its fast growth to quickly fill in bare spots in garden beds or naturalized areas.
- In urban environments, this plant can be used to green up railway embankments or similar rough ground, demonstrating its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions.
- The plant is sometimes incorporated into living fences or hedges, providing a dense, flowering screen for privacy during the spring and summer months.
- Its robust root system makes it useful for erosion control, helping to stabilize slopes and prevent soil from washing away during heavy rains.
- Due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, Hollandia Broom has been used to improve soil fertility in degraded lands, preparing areas for future plantings.
- Gardeners sometimes use this plant as a companion plant, believing it helps deter certain pests with its fragrant scent.
- In craft applications, its wood can be made into small decorative items or used in inlay work for its fine grain and texture.
- Some wildlife enthusiasts use Hollandia Broom to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to their gardens for pollination and diversity.
- When pruned correctly, the broom plant can serve as an interesting sculptural element in contemporary garden design, offering an aesthetically pleasing, architectural form.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Scotch Broom is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Scotch Broom is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Renewal: Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', commonly known as the Hollandia Scotch Broom, blooms profusely in the spring with its vibrant flowers, symbolizing new beginnings and the refreshing nature of spring.
- Protection: In folklore, brooms like Hollandia Scotch Broom were thought to ward off evil spirits and negativity, and were often planted around homes for protection.
- Humility: The broom's simple yet bright flowers are associated with humility, reminding people to remain modest despite their talents or beauty.
- Purity: The cleanliness of its line and the vibrancy of its flowers give it a sense of purity, often symbolizing a cleansing of the spirit or an innocent state of mind.
WaterThe Scotch Broom 'Hollandia' prefers soil that is moist but well-drained. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time. Less frequent watering encourages the plant to develop deep roots, making it more drought-tolerant. During prolonged dry spells, you may need to water twice a week, especially in the first growing season to establish the plant. Always check the soil before watering; it should be dry an inch below the surface. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
LightScotch Broom 'Hollandia' thrives in full sunlight for the best growth and flowering. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Avoid deep shade areas, as insufficient light can lead to poor flowering and leggy growth. The ideal location would get sun throughout most of the day, with some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates to prevent leaf scorch.
TemperatureScotch Broom 'Hollandia' can survive in a temperature range between 20°F and 80°F. However, the ideal temperature for this plant lies between 60°F and 70°F. It is not very tolerant of extreme cold and may require protection if temperatures dip below the minimum threshold. Sudden temperature fluctuations can also be harmful, so it's best to avoid placing the plant in spots that are prone to drafts or abrupt changes in temperature.
PruningTo maintain a tidy appearance and promote vigorous blooming, prune Scotch Broom 'Hollandia' immediately after flowering, typically in late spring or early summer. Cut back the flowering stems by about one-third to encourage new growth and improve next year's flowering. Additionally, remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood at this time. Pruning too late in the season can remove the developing buds for the next year's blooms, so timing is essential.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHollandia Broom prefers well-draining soil with loam or sandy characteristics and a slightly acidic to neutral pH, around 6.0 to 7.5. The best soil mix can be composed of two parts loam to one part sand or grit to improve drainage.
RepottingHollandia Broom should generally be repotted every two to three years to ensure it has enough room to grow and to replenish soil nutrients. Overpotting can lead to excessive moisture retention, which can damage the plant.
Humidity & MistingHollandia Broom thrives in average humidity levels and does not require especially high humidity, making it well-suited to outdoor conditions. However, it is adaptable to the typical range found in most homes when grown indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
6-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', commonly known as Hollandia Broom, begins its life cycle as a seed, typically germinating in spring or fall in suitable soil conditions and temperatures. Once germinated, the seedling grows into a young plant, developing a root system and foliage. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative stage, producing leaves and branching stems, and in favorable conditions, it can grow quite quickly. Once matured, usually in late spring, the Hollandia Broom enters the flowering stage, producing vibrant pink to red flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the plant sets seed pods that mature and eventually release seeds, thus completing the reproductive cycle. In the dormant period, typically winter, the plant may shed leaves, conserving its energy until the next growth cycle in spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Cytisus × boskoopii 'Hollandia', also known as Scotch Broom 'Hollandia', is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time for taking cuttings is during the late summer, which usually corresponds to late August through September when the new growth has begun to mature and harden. To propagate, a 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) cutting should be taken from healthy, disease-free parent plants, making sure it includes several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are stripped off, and the cut end dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed into a well-drained potting mix and kept moist but not waterlogged, with high humidity being maintained to facilitate rooting. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can gradually be acclimatized to less humid conditions and eventually transplanted outdoors.
