Gorse Care
Ulex europaeus
A shrub that thrives in poor, acidic and sandy soils and is extremely tolerant of heat and drought. WARNING: This plant is considered invasive in many regions, can spread uncontrollably and is highly flammable.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Absolutely do not water; winter rains are sufficient.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- General care: Prepare for the main flowering period.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- Pruning: After flowering ends, hard pruning should be planned.
- General care: The main flowering period begins. The bright yellow flowers are fragrant.
- Pruning: This is the best time for hard pruning after flowering ends to prevent invasive spread and seed drop.
- General care: Seed capsules begin to form. If it is not pruned, these seeds scatter and spread around.
- Pruning: This is the last chance for pruning.
- General care: Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm, and keep the root collar above the surrounding soil level.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: The plant may be semi-dormant during the hottest part of summer. High fire risk.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering.
- General care: Keep the surroundings clear because of the fire risk.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: With the autumn rains it may produce new shoots and flower again.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Fertilizing: Absolutely do not fertilize.
- Pruning: Pruning is usually not required this month. If it was not pruned in spring and has grown too large, it may be pruned to control its size.
- General care: A second wave of flowering may be seen in autumn. Check whether new seedlings have appeared around the plant and pull out the unwanted ones. Do not forget the fire risk.
- Watering: Not required; autumn rains are sufficient.
- General care: The plant prepares for winter.
- General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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