Common Gorse
Ulex europaeus
- Native to:
- Algeria, Belgium, Corse, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Madeira, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Ulex
- Species:
- Ulex europaeus
- USDA Symbol:
- ULEU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix nervosa, Apomyelois bistriatella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly flammable due to volatile oils. Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire; fire can also stimulate seed germination from soil seed bank.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in nutrient-poor soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical abrasion). Seeds can remain viable in soil for decades.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI