THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 20, 1?03. 
534 
Cytisus scoparius and its Varieties. 
Throughout late spring and early summer the various species 
of Cytisus, or the “ Brooms,” as many of them are often called, 
are among the most effective of hardy ornamental flowering 
shrubs, and of them all none is more lovely than C. scoparius. 
The uses to which the type and its various varieties can be put 
are many. In the first place, all are of value for planting in 
beds in conspicuous places on lawns, for nothing is more showy 
when in full blossom. 
For planting in a wild and natural way among grass, the 
“common Broom” is very well suited ; for planting on rock- 
work, where the branches can tumble about over the rocks, the 
dwarf forms are excellent things ; while for shrubbery work the 
type and varieties are all useful. 
Typical C. scoparius is a very well-known plant, and in 
many places about the country it is found growing wild, 'its 
bright green, furrowed branches, clothed with small, female 
leaves, and large, golden, Pea-shaped blossoms making it an 
easily-recognised shrub. The varieties differ from the type 
either in habit or colour of flowers, and those in cultivation are 
enumerated below. 
C. scoparius var. andreanus.—It is now nearly twenty 
years since this handsome form was discovered among a quan¬ 
tity of typical C. scoparius on a common in France, and it 
quickly became a favourite among lovers of shrubs. In habit 
it resembles the type, growing quite as tall—8 ft. or so*—and 
making: as large a bush. The difference lies in the flower, the 
wing petals being a reddish brown on the outside. Seen at 
close quarters, it is very effective, but seen from a distance a 
mass does not show itself to such advantage as does the type. 
It. is often grown in pots and used as a conservatory decorative 
plant in spring, and for this work it is well suited. In some 
places a difficulty exists about its propagation. As a rule, it 
is grafted on roots of common Laburnum, but cuttings can be 
rooted by placing them in a bed of sandy soil in a cold frame 
in July, and covering them with a bell glass. They will be 
rooted and ready for removal about the following April. Seeds 
may also be sown, and of these about 30 per cent, come true, 
the remainder reverting to the type. It. is possible to select 
many of the true thing when the plants are in the seedling 
stage, as the cotyledons of the type are. green on the under¬ 
side, while those of the variety are red. 
C. s. var. flore pleno—Although this was known in 
Loudon’s time, it is a. variety that is very seldom seen. It is 
of sturdier habit than the type, and does not. grow so tall. The 
principal distinctive features lie, however, in the flowers, which 
are semi-double. C. s. var. foliis variegatis is characterised 
by its variegated leaves. 
C. s. var. pendulus.—For r<?ck work this is an excellent plant, 
the branches being prostrate, and forming cascades of yellow 
when hanging over stones. There are several forms of this, 
the best being the most prostrate. Out. of a batch of seedlings 
from this variety about ten out of every hundred come true. 
C. s. var. sulphureus.—The “ Moonlight Broom,” as this 
plant is popularly called, is extremely showy, the flowers being 
as large as those of the type, and of a. delicate cream colour. 
There are two forms, one of upright habit, the other dwarfer 
and more pendulous, rarely exceeding 2 ft, in height; it is a 
suitable subject for beds or rock work. Loudon, makes men¬ 
tion of a variety called albus. This, however, from his descrip¬ 
tion, seems to be sulphureus, as he says the flowers are pale 
yellow. 
In addition to these varieties, an early-flowering form is in 
cultivation at Kew, the flowers opening from two to three 
weeks in advance of the type. It. originated at Ivew, being 
selected from a batch of seedlings. 
The cultivation of Cytisus scoparius and its varieties is 
simple, after young plants have been obtained. When seeds 
can be used no difficulty need be experienced in propagation, 
but it- is somewhat difficult to root the varieties from cuttings. 
The best method to adopt, is that mentioned for the variety 
andreanus. When young the plants should be frequently cut 
over to induce a bushy habit. When planting, care should 
be taken not to give very rich soil, or the plants will become 
too rank. After planting has been done a stake should be 
placed to each tall plant to prevent it blowing about; this is 
a help to rooting. As a rule, it will be found advisable to 
renew the plants every nine or ten years, as after that time 
they are past their best, W, Dai.umorf,. 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. 
June 9th. 
(Concluded from page 520.) 
FLORAL COMMITTEE. 
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co. exhibited a group of Malmaison 
Carnations, including sucli fine varieties as Princess of Wales, 
Lady Rose, Lord Rosebery, Robt. Burns, an 1 Calypso, all in 
very tine condition. 
Messrs. Geo. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, exhibited a group of 
hardy flowering trees and shrubs, as well as others grown purely 
for the sake of their coloured or variegated foliage. They also 
had some sprays of the new Lonicera Hildebrandtii, grown in a 
greenhouse, and highly scented. They had an even finer col¬ 
lection of garden Roses, including Purple East, Polyantha 
grandiflora, Paul’s Carmine Pillar, Rugosa alba, Una, and 
Blanche Double de Coubert, with deliciously scented flowers. 
Silver Banksian Medal. 
T. S. Ware, Limited, Felthiam, exhibited a collection of hardy 
herbaceous plants, including Lilies, Eremurus, Poppies, Irises, 
and many other things in season. Silver Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. J. Peed and Son, Roupell Park Nursery, West Nor¬ 
wood, exhibited a collection of Gloxinias, both the self and the 
spotted varieties being of very large size. The plants were 
also well flowered and the pots covered with excellent foliage. 
The plants were set up with Asparagus and Maidenhair Fern. 
Messrs. Geo. Bunyard and Co., Maidstone, exhibited a col¬ 
lection of hardy herbaceous plants, such as Irises, Delphiniums, 
Lilies, Heuchera, and various other subjects now in season. 
They also put up some boxes of cut blooms of hardy Rhodo¬ 
dendrons and hardy deciduous Azaleas now in bloom. 
Messrs. It. Wallace and Co., Kilnfield Gardens, Colchester, 
exhibited a very attractive group of hardy herbaceous plants. 
Very fine were the Irises, Eremurus, Li bum excelsum, Oriental 
Poppies, and Inula glandulosa, all of which were cut with long 
stems and set up in attractive bunches. Silver Gilt Banksian 
Medal. 
Messrs. Watkins and Simpson, 12, Tavistock Street, Covent 
Garden, exhibited a large and very varied group of annuals 
flowered in pots. Chrysanthemum tricolor Morning Star was 
very fine, as were the Poppy Tulip, Linaria aurea reticulata pur¬ 
purea, the Nemesias, Schizanthus, etc. Silver Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. Geo. Jackman and Son, Woking Nursery, Surrey, 
exhibited a collection of alpine plants put up in the form of 
a rockery and backed with hardy flowering shrubs, amongst 
which Rhododendron Wilsoni, R. ovatum, and Kalmia latifolia 
were very handsome. An interesting little alpine was that 
named Asperula hirta, about 2in. high and covered with white 1 
flowers. 
Messrs. W. Cutbush and Son, Highgate, London, put up a 
collection of Malmaison Carnations, very fine being Calypso, 
Baldwin, Albion, Grace, Lady Grimstone, Juliette, and the 
pure white Nell Gwynne. They also had many tall spikes of 
Eremurus himalaicus. 
A. C. Harmsworth, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Goatley), Sutton 
Place, Guildford, exhibited a large collection of Calceolarias, 
each plant of which was of large size and trained. The flowers 
represented most of the various colours now to be found in the 
strain, and bore evidence of good cultivation. Silver Gilt Flora 
Medal. 
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMITTEE. 
Mr. J. C. Roberts, 24, Earl’s Court-Gardens, W., exhibited 
Strawberries grown in pots of two different forms, piled one 
upon the other in tiers, the support being a central pillar by 
which tlhe vases/ were held at, regular distances above one 
another. The plants were grown and fruited by Mr. Allan. 
The Gardens, Gunton Park, for the patentee above named. 
Swanley Horticultural College, Swatiley, sent up an exhibi: 
of preserved fruits of various kinds. 
The Lady Warwick Hostel, Reading, had a similar exhibit 
the fruits, as in the previous case, having an attractive anc 
tempting appearance. 
