Genista hispanica

Here's one of those old fashioned plants that really deserves a second chance. I see it in old gardens, but I can't say I've ever seen it in a nursery, apparently having been replaced by more trendy choices. However there's no reason it shouldn't be popular again as it is both useful as an extremely drought tolerant groundcover, and showy. Its stems of small prickly leaves spread out to about 6' or more while usually remaining about 18” tall or less. In the Northwest, it's perfectly adapted, thriving in sun or part shade on no irrigation and rewarding constant neglect with showy yellow flowers every spring. It can also grow in many other regions, and is hardy down to at least -20 °F.