Spike Broom

Cytisus nigricans ‘Cyni’ is a compact, upright deciduous broom with fragrant yellow flowers. Its long, slender flower spikes open in summer, later than is typical for the genus, extending the season of interest beyond earlier-flowering brooms. [The Royal Horticultural Society’s profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/31010/cytisus-nigricans-cyni/details) identifies the selection and describes its form, flowers, site, and mature size. ## Site and season Grow ‘Cyni’ in full sun and well-drained soil; the RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand and gives mature height and spread ranges of 0.5–1 m. It performs better in poor soil than rich soil. Allow room for a bushy shrub, and avoid waterlogged conditions. ## Maintenance Little or no pruning is usually required. If needed, cut back in spring to keep the shrub compact, and deadhead after flowering to encourage additional spikes. The RHS also lists drought resistance; establish the plant before relying on that trait.