Descriptive ID

This link shows it in flower on 1st July.

http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/genista_tinctoria_dyers_greenweed.htm

 

Yup looks pretty much like it..! Nice one SS

As far as I could tell there wasn't a scent as such.. this one is actually deciduous it seems.

Not as a attractive as the C. racemosus hybrid in my garden though! (love that one)

 

Genista tinctoria would have been another of my suggestions, also Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom) which flowers May-August. I don't think the Trefoils, Brassicas or Vetches match your description. either by leaf structure or height/width of the shrub.

I know you know your plants, but are you sure they were pea-like flowers? Could it not be a Cistus rather than a Cytisus.

I'm sure our Pete can unravel this mystery .. Pete ... ?

 

Yes Victoria, Cystus have traditionally shaped flowers like a rock rose.

It wasn't Spartium junceum.. as that is a nasty weed all over our countryside here.. and emits a foul smell when were walking on the countryside paths..

I think SS has it correct.

 

There are Acacias and Robinias which can be shrub like and have pea-like flowers but I don't think the leaves will be correct. Edit: I was typing at the same time as you Stephen so please ignore this posting.

 

In general Acacias are a quite tender plant, and they were growing in Chester, whilst the city is fairly mild, it is a lot cooler than here in winter, and as such things like Acacias would be difficult to grow. Even here some Acacia dealbatas were cut down in 2010.. some mature ones too (more than 30 years old in some cases!)

 

Just a stab in the dark........it wouldn't be gorse would it?