I have always loved gorse and its fabulous smell. I always had a small garden and it didn't make sense to plant it. I have a good deal of space now and would love to plant it. Problem now I hear it is illegal to plant it.
It's a very versatile, tough plant with a lovely scent and it's always in bloom (the flowers make a very nice white wine). The insects love it, it looks good and well clipped, it makes a very secure hedge. What's not to like?
Sorry Good Guy, but personally I think it's horrible. There is just something about that shade of yellow...... Mustard yellow .. That explains it I HATE mustard!
It is fine in the country and I like the saying 'kissing's out of fashion, when the gorse is not in bloom' (it flowers all year long).
And it so easily blows seeds into a garden..........! There is your answer.
I think it's a case of time and place - context is so important. Personally I like the colour, it's so cheerful. But then I like mustard, too!
The smell always reminds me of coconut. A friend of mine planted it as a shelter where she had an open bank . It's beautiful also in the fog when u see all the cobwebs on it.
Those cobwebs are beautiful on sunny dewy mornings.
Don't like yellow flowers, e.g. Dandelions, Daffodils, etc...........................................................but..........................love Gorse flowers.
It's a fabulous shrub and makes a superb hedge. It's a national treasure.
Thanks.... I like taking pictures and thanks for that app I am slowly getting the hang of it ! !
Opinions on Ulex europaeus seem to to vary as much as the name. Descriptions of furze/gorse/whin remind me of wine tasting with disparate opinions on appearance and aroma (and taste?).
I'd describe the flowers as intense butter yellow rather than mustard. I find vanilla the prominent aroma though there are hints of coconut on the nose. As for the taste I haven't had the pleasure but I know that Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall has made something from it, possible a wine!
The road by my previous residence had furze growing in abundance on either side. The fragrance from the flowers was divine especially on a warm day.
I dunno how true it is to say it's illegal to transplant a wild plant. Cutting and burning of furze is widespread. I'd be surprised if transplanting is illegal too and if it is, I'd be more surprised if it was enforced.
I intend to plant a furze hedge in my garden. I took a number of cuttings last autumn and had 50% take, which I gather is a good strike rate. They had been slow to come on but have really come to life in the last month.
As well as that I've found plenty of young plants in a field that look perfect for transplanting and I hope to do that towards the end of the year.
An alternative is Genista hispanica (Spanish Gorse) which is widely available in garden centres. But it's just not as good!
Bet that smells nice too.