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Scotch Broom Sister Redhead™

Cytisus scoparius 'SMNCSAB'


Sale price $2531 Regular price $19991
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Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Flowering, and Attracts pollinators

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Cytisus scoparius 'SMNCSAB'
  • Height
    3-4 ft
  • Width
    3-4 ft
  • Growing Zones
    5-8
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Flower Color
    • Red
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Fall Color
    Green
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This shrub requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain its deep red color. While it can survive in partial shade, you will see much sparser flower production and the stems may become leggy.
  • Soil: Sister Redhead™ thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils where other plants struggle. Avoid heavy clay or wet spots at all costs because these conditions cause root rot and will quickly kill the plant.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Scotch Broom twice a week to help the roots reach deep into the soil. Once it is established, this plant is exceptionally drought tolerant and usually only needs supplemental water during extreme heat waves. Inconsistent watering during the first year can lead to stunted growth and fewer blooms the following spring.

Pruning Tips

Because this shrub blooms on old wood, you should only prune it immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use sharp shears to trim back the green stems by about a third to maintain a tidy shape and encourage fresh growth for next year. Avoid cutting into the thick, woody base of the plant because these older stems rarely sprout new growth and can leave permanent holes in the shrub.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth appears. You should avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall because this forces soft growth that will likely be killed by the first hard frost. Since Scotch Broom actually improves the soil by fixing its own nitrogen, very little feeding is required to keep it healthy.

A Great New Look for Scotch Broom!

You've probably seen Scotch Broom growing in someone's garden or wild along the roadside. It heralds spring with sweet-pea shaped bright sunny yellow flowers in eye-popping profusion.

Now comes along Sister Redhead® Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius 'SMNCSAB' PP#30214). She doesn't herald spring with bright yellow flowers, but with bold orange-red flowers with a lick of yellow at their tips. She can't be missed!

Scotch Broom is semi-evergreen; it is evergreen in warm climates, deciduous in cold ones. It is called 'broom' because of its slender broom-like foliage that adds an airy quality to landscapes. The seed pods mature to a dark brown/black at the end of the season. They are one of the most unique seed pods you'll find in your garden. They explode open when ripe and dramatically shoot their seeds several feet away from the plant.

They are famously deer resistant, so if you struggle with your garden being eaten by Bambi, this is the plant for you.

Scotch Broom is also highly adaptable to many garden soils, so it will work in some of your hard-to-grow areas.

Sister Redhead® is one sister that puts on quite a show in spring. Make sure the show is in your garden this year!

  • Beautiful red-orange flowers
  • Unique seed pods add late season interest
  • Deer resistant and drought tolerant

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