Question
Dear Sir:
I would appreciate any information regarding care and trimming of my cytisus hollandia and cytisus x dallimorei "burkwoods broom"

Both shrubs are now about 3-4 feet high and 3 feet wide.


Thanks Sylvia Kennedy


Answer
Sylvia,
All scotch brooms are relatively easy to care for. The only real problem they can be afflicted with is a leaf spot or blight in the spring. This can be prevented by keeping the plants thinned out and as healthy as possible.
Pruning of brooms should be done right after they finish flowering. Brooms set up their next years buds on old wood, not any new growth they will push out. Most brooms will reach a mature height of 5-6 feet. Some will grow larger and there are some dwarf varieties as well. If you wish to prune them back, do not cut into the older wood too heavily as this will kill the plant.