Genista

The genus Droc (Genista) includes about 100 species - small deciduous or semi-evergreen semi-shrubs and shrubs. Pillow-shaped, creeping or erect plants. The stems of many species are spiny. The leaves are small, simple or trifoliate, densely pubescent or glabrous, sessile. Flowers are yellow, light yellow, collected in bunches, brushes or heads bloom in large numbers in spring and summer. Fruits are more often multi - seeded, less often - one-and two-seeded. Droc etnensis (Genista aetnensis) - a species that is a large shrub. It is characterized by simple bright green pubescent leaves and golden-yellow flowers collected in rare apical racemes, blooming in June-July. The ashy droc (G. cinerea) has the form of a large shrub with gray thin, slightly curved branches. The leaves are lanceolate olive - green, and yellow fragrant flowers are collected in sparse apical racemes. The flowers bloom in June and July. Genista lydia (G. lydia) is a low-growing species with numerous thin prickly curved or hanging branches of marsh-green color, like simple leaves. Flowers of intense yellow color are collected in apical racemes; they appear in May-June. It is used to strengthen scree, as well as in stony gardens. The wood thrush (G. sylvestris, or G. dalmatica ) is a dwarf compact species with drooping branches and linear dark green leaves. Flowers of intense yellow color are collected in dense apical brushes; they bloom in June-July. It is used in stony gardens on well-drained soil and to strengthen scree. G. tinctoria is a species that can be either creeping or, in comparison with other species, erect. It has linear-lanceolate dark green leaves, flowers of intense yellow color are collected in erect apical racemes. Blooms all summer. Long flowering is distinguished by the variety 'Royal golden'.

The genus Droc (Genista) includes about 100 species - small deciduous or semi-evergreen semi-shrubs and shrubs. Pillow-shaped, creeping or erect plants. The stems of many species are spiny. The leaves are small, simple or trifoliate, densely pubescent or glabrous, sessile. Flowers are yellow, light yellow, collected in bunches, brushes or heads bloom in large numbers in spring and summer. Fruits are more often multi - seeded, less often - one-and two-seeded.

Droc etnensis (Genista aetnensis) - a species that is a large shrub. It is characterized by simple bright green pubescent leaves and golden-yellow flowers collected in rare apical racemes, blooming in June-July.

The ashy droc (G. cinerea) has the form of a large shrub with gray thin, slightly curved branches. The leaves are lanceolate olive - green, and yellow fragrant flowers are collected in sparse apical racemes. The flowers bloom in June and July.

Genista lydia (G. lydia) is a low-growing species with numerous thin prickly curved or hanging branches of marsh-green color, like simple leaves. Flowers of intense yellow color are collected in apical racemes; they appear in May-June.

It is used to strengthen scree, as well as in stony gardens.

The wood thrush (G. sylvestris, or G. dalmatica ) is a dwarf compact species with drooping branches and linear dark green leaves. Flowers of intense yellow color are collected in dense apical brushes; they bloom in June-July.

It is used in stony gardens on well-drained soil and to strengthen scree.

G. tinctoria is a species that can be either creeping or, in comparison with other species, erect. It has linear-lanceolate dark green leaves, flowers of intense yellow color are collected in erect apical racemes. Blooms all summer. Long flowering is distinguished by the variety 'Royal golden'.

Cultivation

This shrub is used as an ornamental and medicinal plant (contains the alkaloid cytisine). It is grown outdoors: in stony gardens as a groundcover, to strengthen slopes. They are planted permanently in the period from October to March, in autumn in areas of cold climate, and in spring. Any soil is suitable, preferably loose and well - drained, as well as low-fertile and dry, alkaline and acidic. Gorse species can be grown as ornamental potted plants for 3-4 years, but then they are recommended to be planted in the open ground. When growing in a pot, choose soil with a pH of 5.5, well-enriched with organic fertilizers with the addition of 300-500 g of one of the preparations based on iron chelates per bucket of soil. Once every 40-50 days, liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation as a top dressing. Usually, no pruning is required. If you want the plant to be thicker or re-bloom in the fall, you need to shorten the faded branches.

This shrub is used as an ornamental and medicinal plant (contains the alkaloid cytisine). It is grown outdoors: in stony gardens as a groundcover, to strengthen slopes. They are planted permanently in the period from October to March, in autumn in areas of cold climate, and in spring. Any soil is suitable, preferably loose and well - drained, as well as low-fertile and dry, alkaline and acidic. Gorse species can be grown as ornamental potted plants for 3-4 years, but then they are recommended to be planted in the open ground. When growing in a pot, choose soil with a pH of 5.5, well-enriched with organic fertilizers with the addition of 300-500 g of one of the preparations based on iron chelates per bucket of soil. Once every 40-50 days, liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation as a top dressing.

Usually, no pruning is required. If you want the plant to be thicker or re-bloom in the fall, you need to shorten the faded branches.

Location

Droc is a light-loving shrub; prefers a place in the open sun.

Temperature

The described species are resistant to both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

Almost never required due to increased drought resistance. But potted plants should be watered regularly.

Transplant

Transplanting plants grown in containers into a new pot is done every 1-2 years in the spring, while careful care is taken not to damage the roots.

Reproduction

They are propagated by seeds, and in culture the most used method is taken in August by semi-lignified cuttings, which are planted in a mixture of peat and sand and rooted in a closed, unheated room. After root formation, in the spring, the plants are planted in pots one at a time and kept in the fresh air. Planting in the open ground is carried out in the fall or next spring. You can also sow seeds in early spring using a seedbed. After germination, they are transplanted into cups one at a time and treated like material obtained from cuttings.

Diseases

Chlorosis causes the leaves to turn yellow, dry out, and then fall off. Prevent the appearance of the disease by adding alkalizing or acidifying materials to the soil and performing appropriate treatments with preparations based on iron chelates.

Acquisition

Droc seedlings are quite easy to find in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. Buy young plants grown in containers, because adult plants do not tolerate transplanting well. The best time to buy them is autumn (in areas with a cold climate) or spring, when they can be planted completely.