I have a three year old cytisus battandieri growing in poor gravelly soil facing south. It bloomed a little this summer and is over 6 feet tall. It is in a windy position with a shed at its back. Question -- How do I prune this? I have the feeling I should be aiming for a less leggy bush. It is also leaning forward away from the shed. It is a lovely little tree but looks in danger of snow and wind. Thanks for any ideas. jenmckee salt spring island
I don't know much about pineapple broom but I know that it likes a well-drained site; I believe it comes from Morocco. and it likes sun or part sun... but the folks I bought it from, Dancing Oaks Nursery in Monmouth, Oregon (I live in Silverton, Oregon) are very knowledgable; their e-mail is info@dancingoaks.com. I'm still trying to figure out why mine hasn't bloomed, although it seems very, very happy and vigorous otherwise! I bought it in early summer 2006; now it's fall 2007 and still none of those blooms I've been anxious to see!! Did yours take a few years before it started blooming? Good luck! Brenna
Might lean over if shaded from one side, otherwise bound roots - as always with container-grown stock - might be main danger, resulting in it going over in snow or simply from its own weight. Sparse habit normal. Probably nearly always seed-raised, so young plantings will not flower until sexual maturity is reached. Won't have to wait as long as for a magnolia seedling, but won't get immediate flowering either.
That's very reassuring; I'll bet my plant is just a middle-schooler right now! thanks for helping Brenna
