Ulex parviflorus
| Ulex parviflorus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ulex parviflorus
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in hot water and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in late winter to early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance and so should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible, though not until after the last expected frosts[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in spring as soon as rooting commences and plant out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[1].
Cultivation: Requires a poor soil and a sunny position, doing well on dry sunny banks or poor gravelly soils[2]. Succeeds on land that is too dry and barren for most plants[3]. Intolerant of shade, nor does it do well on rich soils[2][4]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[3], disliking alkaline soils[5]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and, once established, drought[6][7].
Hardy to about -15°c[3].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
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[3].
Range: S.W. Europe - Portugal to southern France.
Usage: Plants make an impenetrable barrier, especially in exposed maritime areas. They are a useful windbreak by the coast.
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
- ↑ Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.