#whin

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 2 June 2026

The countryside of Scotland is yellow with Ulex europaeus (gorse, furze, thorn broom, whin) flowers which have a distinctive, coconut-perfume. This large, evergreen shrub is covered in needle-like leaves and thrives on a poor sandy soil in full sun. It can be tricky to establish.

(Ulex europaeus)

Flourishes on the English moor, where yellow flowers fill the air with a scent that some compare to custard or coconut. Native to Europe and invasive in some parts of the United States, gorse (also called whin or furze) welcomes fire into its dry branches. The flames cause seedpods to burst open, and rejuvenate the roots. On a hot day, sitting near a gorse tree can be hazardous: the pods explode without warning, ejecting seeds into the air with a noise that sounds like a gunshot.