Gorse.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 14 to 30 days

Mature size

2 to 3 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 6 to 9

Bloom time

Early spring to mid summer

Care

This shrub is incredibly low maintenance and prefers full sun to bloom well. Keep an eye out for excessive spread, as it can become invasive in certain climates. It rarely needs extra water once established.

Watering

Water only during prolonged dry spells once the plant is established.

Feeding

It rarely requires fertilizer as it thrives in nutrient poor soils.

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.

Soil

Well draining, acidic, sandy or rocky soil

Soil pH

4.5 to 6.5

Temperature

-15 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Pets

Gorse is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though its sharp spines can cause physical injury.

Children

The dense, sharp spines pose a significant risk of injury to children, so keep it away from play areas.

Contact allergens

The sharp spines can cause mechanical skin irritation and minor puncture wounds.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild hay fever symptoms in sensitive individuals during the peak flowering season.

Edibility

The plant is not considered edible and contains alkaloids that can be harmful if ingested.

How to identify it

• Dense clusters of yellow flowers
• Sharp, needle like green spines
• Dark green, woody stems
• Small, hairy seed pods

Height

1 to 2.5m

Spread

1 to 2.5m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

black, late summer

Problems to watch for

• Gorse Spider MiteCommon
• CankerUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Powdery MildewRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant in areas where its aggressive spread will not interfere with more delicate garden species.

Grows well with

• Heather · They share similar soil and moisture requirements in heathland settings.
• Bell heather · These species naturally occur together in wild, open landscapes.

Similar species

• Western gorse · It is a smaller, more compact relative often found in similar habitats.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Ulex

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Western Europe and North Africa.

Conservation

It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world outside its native range.

It survives in harsh, wind swept coastal environments by forming dense, protective thickets.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, nesting cover

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shrub, hedging, wildlife habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is gorse easy to grow?

It is extremely hardy and requires very little maintenance once established.

Can I plant it in a container?

It is not recommended for containers due to its aggressive growth and sharp spines.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Ulex is the Latin name for a shrub, while europaeus indicates its native European distribution.

Good to know

• The flowers have a distinct coconut like fragrance.
• Gorse seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 30 years.
• It has been used historically as fuel for bread ovens due to its high oil content.