Native Plant Alternatives to Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom)

Spartium junceum, also known as Spanish broom or weaver’s broom, is considered invasive in some regions. Native to the Mediterranean region, it was introduced to other areas of the world as an ornamental plant and for erosion control.

Spanish broom is a hardy perennial shrub that has become a problem in parts of western North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It grows rapidly in sunny, open areas and forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation.

The plant’s long, slender stems and bright yellow flowers make it attractive in landscaping, but its ability to spread and colonize a wide range of habitats has led to its classification as an invasive species in some regions.

Spanish Broom is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.