Cytisus × dallimorei Rolfe

A hybrid raised at Kew in 1900 by crossing C. scoparius ‘Andreanus’ (seed-bearer) with C. multiflorus. It is a tall shrub, perhaps 8 or 9 ft high, of thin, erect habit, suggesting that of C. scoparius; young wood ribbed. Leaves mostly trifoliolate, downy. Flowers about 5⁄8 in. long, the whole of the petals suffused with beautiful shades of rosy pink deepening on the wing petals to crimson; the almost orbicular standard petal is 5⁄8 in. long, darker outside than within, keel almost white. Calyx helmet-shaped, shining brown, slightly downy, 1⁄8 in. long; flower-stalk 1⁄4 in. long, downy. At each node the flowers are solitary or in pairs. Bot. Mag., t. 8482.

This beautiful broom is quite distinct from any other in cultivation, and is the first hybrid broom raised by artificial cross-fertilisation, all its predecessors having originated as chance crosses made by insects. It is propagated by grafting on laburnum or by cuttings. The original hybrid (which should really be distinguished as C. × dallimorei ‘William Dallimore’) is less common now in gardens than formerly but still well worth growing for its beautiful flowers and for its historic interest as one of the parents of the modern race of garden brooms.