Fast growing and tough, Genista ‘Yellow Imp’ is great for planting on the boundary of a new garden for a bit of quick privacy and shelter. It’s also drought tolerant and doesn’t mind poor soils or wind. In spring the small grey-green foliage is almost obscured by the masses of golden flowers.

Try combining it with blue Ceanothus, ‘Joyce Coulter’ or ‘Yankee Point’, both equally tough shrubs, and in the foreground Lavender ‘Pukehou’ for a spectacular combination of colours. If you’re interested in attracting native birds to the garden, Genista ‘Yellow Imp’ is attractive to wood pigeons which like to feast on the new growths. They’re quite a sight, balancing on the slender tops.