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Ulex europaeus (Common gorse)

Other names: Whin, Gorse, Irish gorse, Thorn broom, European furze, French furze, Furze, Honey bottles, Hoth, Ulex armoricanus, Ulex compositus, Ulex europaea, Ulex floridus, Ulex opistholepis

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Species
U. europaeus is a dense, bushy evergreen shrub with spiny stems. It has small, dark-green leaves and from winter to spring, bears scented, yellow, pea-like flowers, followed by black seed pods.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2.5 m 2.5 m 10-20 years
8 ft 8 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes chalk. Suitable for hedging, particularly for security, due to its spines.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Wind-breaker

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Dense

Native to

Central Europe, Western Europe

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Flowers are scented

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 10 every 2-3 years.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Prune shrubs (optional)

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant early in spring in sun on poor, well-drained soil

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (4)

Ulex

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Ulex europaeus
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Ulex europaeus Common gorse
Ulex canescens
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Ulex canescens Moorish gorse
Ulex europaeus 'Flore Pleno'
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Ulex europaeus 'Flore Pleno' Double-blossomed gourse
Ulex minor
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Ulex minor Dwarf gorse
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Ulex europaeus with other Shoot members

Ulex europaeus

Shoot User
762 0
The flowers are useful to bees. The plant's tight growth makes it a favoured nesting choice for small birds such as common whitethroat, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, yellowhammer and linnet. In rural areas, though probably not in gardens, it supports whinchats and stonechats. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word gorst meaning 'a waste'. This is a direct reference to the open moors and heaths on which it grows in the wild. Gorse will provide constant colour and interest: hence the saying 'when gorse is in flower, kissing is in season'.
Posted: Friday 22nd of May 2009 06:51 PM Last reply: Friday 22nd of May 2009 06:52 PM
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