Scotch broom and look-alikes

Brooms, such as Scotch (or Scots) broom (Cytisus scorparius, C. striatus, Spartium junceum, Genista monspessulana), and gorse (Ulex europaeus) are perennial evergreen shrubs that bloom in April-June. They have many slender, erect, dark green angled branches with small leaves and lots of small, pea-shaped flowers. Gorse has distinctive one inch thick spines.

They displace native plants and increase the costs of timber production by invading disturbed site, natural areas, dune and public/private forest lands. The seeds live over 50 years and mature plants produce a lot of seeds requiring long-term maintenance.

The best way to get rid of brooms and gorse is to cut or mow before they go to seed in mid-April. You can pull the smaller plants by hand or by using a weed wrench. Cut back the larger plants and then dig out the roots. It’s best to cut in mid-to-late summer when the plants are stressed.  Fortunately, there are three biological controls:  a beetle, a seed weevil and twig miner are approved for release and have been used effectively in Oregon.

Some native plant alternatives are:

1. Tall Oregon grape
2. Mountain mahogany
3. Golden currant
4. Mock orange
5. Blue blossom