Ulex Species, Gorse, Furze, Whin, Honey Bottles, Hoth

Ulexeuropaeus

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ulex (YOO-leks)
Species
europaeus (yoo-ROH-pay-us)
Synonym
Ulex armoricanus
Ulex compositus
Ulex europaea
Ulex floridus
Ulex opistholepis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Blooms all year
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
4.5 or below (very acidic)
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
3
negatives
Sort By:
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2016 | negative

In North America, this is invasive of natural areas, forming impenetrable spiny thickets. It has naturalized in 9 states and one province...Read More

S
(Zone 9a) | March 2013 | positive

I put it as positive in view of the benefits to certain native habitats.. not good for the garden, however many ranger services in the UK...Read More

S
OYSTERVILLE, WA (Zone 8b) | September 2011 | negative

This is an invasive, nasty piece of work.
Huge spines that can puncture tires, tap root as longer than the plant is high.
S...Read More

D
D
(Zone 7b) | May 2008 | positive

Attractive evergreen shrub, mostly found on sparse or well drained soil. In UK it is very common on the sloping sides of motorway cuttings.

B
B
| December 2004 | negative

This plant is an invasive weed in the Southern British Columbia Gulf Islands(Z8).

P
(Zone 8a) | November 2004 | positive

A wonderfully coconut scented flower. Useful to a lot of wildlife. It can flower year round leading to the saying "When the gorse is in f...Read More

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