Common Name:

General Information

Ulex parviflorus is a densely-branched, erect, evergreen shrub growing around 2 metres tall[].
The plant is used as a windbreak hedge in exposed maritime situations.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S.W. Europe - Portugal, Spain, southern France; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Thickets on limestones or dolomites, granites and schists; at elevations up to 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Ulex parviflorus is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant[]. It grows best in areas with hot summers.
Requires a poor soil and a sunny position, doing well on dry sunny banks or poor gravelly soils[]. Succeeds on land that is too dry and barren for most plants[]. Intolerant of shade, nor does it do well on rich soils[, ]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[], disliking alkaline soils[]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and, once established, drought[, ].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants make an impenetrable barrier, especially in exposed maritime areas. They are a useful windbreak by the coast.

Other Uses

None known

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. Grow the seedlings 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[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in spring as soon as rooting commences and plant out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].