Practical
Plants

Calicotome spinosa

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Calicotome genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be used for low hedging[1].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
Europe - W. Mediterranean.
Habitat
Dry stony habitats in evergreen scrub near the coast. It is especially common in areas after woodland clearance[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest pre-soaking the seed for 12 - 24 hours (by which time it should have swollen up) in warm water and sowing it in a greenhouse in early spring. Pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring or early summer in their permanent positions. Cuttings of half ripe wood, July/August in a frame. It is probably best to put each cutting in its own pot.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a very well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c if it is given perfect drainage[1]. Plants dislike root disturbance[1], they should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst young. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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