Mount Etna broom Genista etnensis
Mount Etna broom (Genista etnensis) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily, and Sardinia. It grows 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall and 4–6 m (13–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Mount Etna broom in your garden →
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Mount Etna broom at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–6 m (13–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily, and Sardinia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Mount Etna broom toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, all parts
Brooms contain quinolizidine alkaloids such as cytisine: harmful if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mount Etna broom
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Mount Etna broom
- How far apart should I plant Mount Etna broom?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–6 m (13–20 ft).
- Does Mount Etna broom need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mount Etna broom need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mount Etna broom?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Mount Etna broom flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mount Etna broom poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Brooms contain quinolizidine alkaloids such as cytisine: harmful if eaten.
- What grows well with Mount Etna broom?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- A small, airy tree of weeping, almost leafless green rush-like stems that turns into a fountain of fragrant golden pea flowers in midsummer, when few trees flower. It colonises fresh lava flows on Etna.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis