Argyrocytisus battandieri (Moroccan broom, "Gin'yoenishida")

Japanese name: ギンヨウエニシダ （銀葉金雀枝、銀葉金雀児）
Scientific name: Argyrocytisus battandieri

[Overview]
A shrub or small tree about 4 m tall, distributed in forest zones on the mid-slopes of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
It is evergreen to semi-evergreen in warm regions, but deciduous in cold regions.
It is densely covered overall with fine silvery-gray hairs and looks bluish green.
The leaves are alternate and trifoliate, with obovate leaflets.
Cylindrical racemes about 15 cm long bear dense yellow pea-shaped flowers.
The flowers have a scent similar to pineapple.
The fruit is a legume about 7.5 cm long, densely covered with silvery-gray hairs.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
Cuttings are also possible, but the rooting rate is low.
To promote germination, soak harvested seeds in 80°C hot water for 30 minutes, leave them in the water for half a day to 2 days, and then sow.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost.
It grows quickly and tolerates poor soil and dryness, but strong wind should be avoided.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, somewhat dry place.
Poor drainage can damage the roots during the rainy season or autumn long rains and cause the plant to die, and poor sunlight reduces flowering.
It cannot be planted in overly wet places where water stagnates.
Transplanting large plants is difficult.
For potted plants, and for young plants even in the ground, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For large plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter around the base of the plant.
It tolerates pruning.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
It suffers from problems with continuous cropping.

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