Common Gorse
Ulex europaeus
- Native to:
- Algeria, Belgium, Corse, France, Germany, Great Britain, 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:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix nervosa, Apomyelois bistriatella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Requires fire for germination
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted; seeds are released and germinate profusely after fire, and mature plants resprout vigorously from root crowns.
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:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (hot water or mechanical) followed by warm stratification then cold stratification to break dormancy.