Biology:Lena broom

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Short description: Species of legume
Cytisus 'Lena'
Cytisus scoparius x dallimorei 'Lena' 01.jpg
Hybrid parentageCytisus scoparius × Cytisus dallimorei
BreederHerr Lena
OriginGerman

Cytisus 'Lena' (or Broom 'Lena') is a hybrid broom of two species of Cytisus, Cytisus scoparius × Cytisus dallimorei, and is known as 'Lena' after the German hybridizer, Herr Lena. He is credited with a handful of other classic broom cultivars.[1] It is a small deciduous shrub with slender green shoots and small trifoliate leaves. It has fragrant flowers of brown-red edged with gold,[2] or deep crimson with a light yellow keel.[3][4]

Cytisus scoparius x dallimorei 'Lena' 03.jpg

In 1993, Cytisus 'Lena' was a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.[3] It can fairly easily be mistaken for its wild parent Cytisus scoparius which is an invasive pest in many parts of the West Coast of the United States and Canada . 'Lena' is a well-behaved (meaning compact,[4]) desirable shrub. It flowers between Spring and early Summer, likes full sun and is very hardy. It just needs pruning occasionally to keep in shape. As a legume, this shrub can fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. It is hardy to USDA zones 5-8.[4]

Known as 'Lena Broom', Lena's broom, Cytisus 'lena', Cytisus ×lena, & Lena Cytisus.

References