Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,783 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Scotch Broom: observations by month (U.S.)
About Scotch Broom
Cytisus scoparius, the common broom or Scotch broom, syn. Sarothamnus scoparius, is a perennial leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe. In Britain and Ireland, the standard name is broom, but this name is also used for other members of the Genisteae tribe, such as French broom or Spanish broom, and the term common broom is sometimes used for clarification. In other English-speaking countries, the most prevalent common name is Scotch broom (or Scot's broom);...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Scotch Broom by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 1,011 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 687 | May | Apr–May |
| California | 33 | February | Jan–Feb |
| Massachusetts | 33 | May | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Scotch Broom?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Scotch Broom most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington, California.