Scotch Broom

Cytisus scoparius is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, with several cultivars selected for variation in flower colour, including "Moonlight" with deep yellow flowers, "Andreanus" and "Firefly" with dark orange-red flowers, and growth habit, including "Pendula" with pendulous branchlets.[8]

[edit] Invasive species
Broom as an invasive species in the United States.Cytisus scoparius has been introduced into several other continents outside its native range and is classified as a noxious invasive species in California and the Pacific Northwest[clarification needed] in North America,[10] and in Australia,[citation needed] New Zealand[citation needed] and India.[citation needed] These shrubs commonly grow in disturbed areas and along utility and transportation right-of-ways. The prolific growth of this species after timber harvest inhibits reforestation by competing with seedling trees.[12]

It is estimated that it is responsible for US$47 million in lost timber production each year in Oregon.[13] In New Zealand broom the species estimated to cost the forestry industry NZ$90 million and farmers NZ$10 million.[14] Biological control for broom has been investigated since the mid 1980s with a number of species being trialled. They include the broom twig miner (Leucoptera spartifoliella), the broom seed beetles (Bruchidius villosus) the broom gall mite (Aceria genistae) the sap-sucking broom psyllid (Arytainilla spartiophila) and recently the broom leaf beetle (Gonioctena olivacea) and the broom shoot moth (Agonopterix assimilella).[15]

Some attempts have been made to develop biological controls in affected areas, using three broom-feeding insects, the psyllid Arytainilla spartiophylla, the beetle Bruchidius villosus, and the moth Leucoptera spartifoliella.[