Cytisus ‘Boskoop Ruby’

Cytisus ‘Boskoop Ruby’ is a striking cultivar of the common broom, prized for its rich, deep red flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. The blooms are held on slender, upright stems and create a bold splash of colour when the plant is in full flower.

This is a compact, bushy shrub that typically reaches around 1 to 1.5 metres in height and spread. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun; poor, sandy soils suit it well, and it is notably tolerant of drought once established. Broom dislikes heavy clay and waterlogged conditions.

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a neat shape, but avoid cutting into old wood as broom does not regenerate well from hard pruning. It works beautifully in mixed borders, as a specimen in a sunny rockery, or in a large container on a patio. The plant is deciduous and relatively short-lived, typically lasting 10 to 15 years.