Scotch Broom, Common Broom, False Heather 'Hollandia'

All parts of the plants are poisonous and can cause severe reactions. Never plant in areas accessible to pets and children.

...Read More/> It is also highly invasive. Seed pods are readily dispersed by wind and can travel large distances by birds. Scotch Broom takes over natural habitats and crowds out native species. It also releases toxins into the soil that prevent native species from growing. Its roots secrete chemicals that bind nitrogen to the soil, rendering it infertile to many plants.

Once established, Scotch Broom can be nearly impossible to remove. Digging it up and leaving a single inch of root in the ground can still lead to the plant growing back, sending up shots in unexpected places. Plants must be cut down to their base repeatedly and frequently over several years to get the job done. And to replant the area with other plants, the soil should be replaced.

If natural habitats are important to the American gardener, this plant should be avoided like the plague.

I purchased this at Home Depot in Hendersonville, NC. I bought two plants and placed them side by side on the top of a recently cleared ...Read Morehill. They seemed to do ok there, in heavy, rocky clay soil that was not amended but only loosened and then mulched on top with a sandwich of shredded sticks, straw and leafmulch and finally woodchips.

I watered them for 5 days and then neglected them and they were ok because I read they were a low water / xeriscape plant. I think they don't like the high mtn wind too much because one of them is getting tossed around and doesn't seem like it. Still it is surviving.

The flowers are a deep burgundy color, and the stems look like a weeping horsetail or ephedra. It is very lovely plant.

+ - Easy to maintain
+ - Low water requirements
+ - Pretty
+ - Does ok but doesn't necessarily thrive in hot dry sun
+ - Flowers can be smoked and are psychoactive, similar to tobacco but nonaddictive