Gorse (ulex europaeus)

• Native UK evergreen shrub with bright yellow, coconut-scented flowers blooming mainly January–June (often year-round).
• Excellent for wildlife: provides dense shelter and nesting sites for birds (e.g., Dartford warbler, linnet), nectar for bees/butterflies, and food for insects/moths.
• Forms impenetrable, prickly barriers ideal for intruder-proof hedges, windbreaks, and security.
• Thrives in poor, dry, acidic soils; nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil fertility; tolerant of coastal/exposed sites and drought.
• Note: Can spread vigorously and become dominant if unmanaged, but native and beneficial in appropriate settings.

Planting Guide

• Site: Full sun; well-drained, poor/sandy/acidic soil (avoid rich soils to prevent legginess).
• When to plant: Anytime for cell grown and container-grown.
• Spacing: 60cm apart for hedges; wider for individual shrubs.
• Method: Plant at same depth as in pot; water well until established (especially first summer).
• Care: Minimal pruning (every 2–3 years or annual trim for hedges after flowering); hardy and low-maintenance.