At this time of year, the hills around here are full of color with purple, red and yellow flowers blooming all over. One of the plants that grows wild in this area is the ginestra or “broom” plant. The latin name of the plant is cytisus scoparius (in Italian, “scopa” means broom - just don’t use it in verb form).

The brilliant yellow flowers of the ginestra are unmistakeable and its perfume fills the air. Unfortunately, the perfume is long gone now, but when the flowers first bloom it pervades the area.

It’s no surprise that it’s called “broom” in English as one of this plant’s uses is in making brooms and the smaller hand brooms for sweeping out fireplaces. O’s mom even made me one. Nothing does a better job of getting all of the ashes out of the nooks and crannies of the fireplace.

Another use is in tying up tomato plants. See the long green “leaves”? They were picked and used to tie the vines to the canes. Who needs string or plastic ties?

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