Description

Genista ‘Lydia’ is a deciduous shrub that earns its place in any garden. Genista ‘Lydia’ forms a low, cascading dome of slender green stems that are completely covered in bright golden-yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. It is ideal for tumbling over walls, rockeries and sunny banks.

Genista is a broom-type shrub with slender, arching green stems that are covered in bright yellow, pea-like flowers in late spring and early summer. It thrives in hot, dry, sunny spots and poor soil.

Key features of Genista ‘Lydia’

• Plant type: Deciduous shrub
• Season of interest: Late spring to early summer
• Look: Arching, almost leafless stems smothered in golden flowers
• Height and spread: 0.6m x 1m
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Supplied in: 3L pot
• Best for: rockeries and slopes, dry gardens, ground cover, sunny banks

Why choose Genista ‘Lydia’?

• Cascading, dome-shaped habit
• Smothered in golden flowers
• Perfect for walls and banks

Where to plant Genista ‘Lydia’

Genista ‘Lydia’ grows best in full sun, in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It is a good choice for rockeries and slopes, and also works well for dry gardens, ground cover and sunny banks. Grow it with lavender, cistus, rosemary and ornamental grasses on a sunny bank or gravel garden.

How to plant Genista ‘Lydia’

Water the plant well in its pot an hour before planting. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, loosen the soil at the base, and mix in some garden compost. Set the plant at the same level it sat in the pot, backfill, firm gently and water in thoroughly.

How to care for Genista ‘Lydia’

Drought-tolerant once established. Very drought-tolerant; avoid hard pruning into old wood. Trim after flowering; avoid cutting into old wood. Generally trouble-free; it dislikes rich, wet soil and hard pruning into old wood.

Growing Genista ‘Lydia’ in a pot

Can grow in pots. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, make sure the pot has drainage holes, and water regularly in summer, as containers dry out faster than borders.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Our plants are nursery-grown at St Annes in North West England, raised outdoors and in tunnels in real UK weather rather than a hothouse, so they arrive healthy, acclimatised and well rooted. This Genista ‘Lydia’ is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Genista ‘Lydia’ grow?
Genista ‘Lydia’ typically reaches 0.6m x 1m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Genista ‘Lydia’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is late spring to early summer, when it shows arching, almost leafless stems smothered in golden flowers.

Is Genista ‘Lydia’ hardy?
Fully hardy.

How do I prune Genista ‘Lydia’?
Trim after flowering; avoid cutting into old wood.

Does Genista ‘Lydia’ like dry soil?
Yes. It thrives in dry, sunny spots.

When should I prune Genista ‘Lydia’?
Trim lightly after flowering.

Add Genista ‘Lydia’ to your basket today and enjoy late spring to early summer interest in your garden.