Genista is a genus of shrubby plants known for their yellow flowers. Genista is one of several genera commonly called "Broom," so-named for their small, stiff, brush-like, deer resistant foliage.
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More Information About Genista
Genista is a genus of shrubby plants known for their yellow flowers. Genista is one of several genera commonly called 'Broom', so-named for their small, stiff, brush-like, deer resistant foliage. Genista flowers have an interesting trait in that when an insect lands on them, the closed flower opens explosively, sending the pollen bearing style crashing into the insect's belly, thus ensuring that its pollen gets spread. Continuing with this explosive theme, Genista seed pods burst open when ripe with enough force to make an audible pop and to send seeds flying several meters away from the parent.
Native to Southern Europe, Southwest Asia, and Northern Afrtica, Genista is well adapted to a Mediterranean climate...hot dry summers, lean rocky soil, and cool wet winters. This means that Genista will make a nice drought tolerant garden plant.
Trivia - In the middle ages there was an English royal family known as the House of Plantagenet who took their name and emblem from this genus...in latin 'Planta Genista'. When you're ready to buy Genista for your perennial garden, we hope you'll check out our online list of Genista for sale.