Help with identifying plant

Hi,
We were given this plant by a neighbour I have no idea what it is. It's a nightmare for attracting snails.

 

Looks like Broom (Cytisus) but one that is dying by the look of it (presuming that is a recent pic). Mine is still nice and green.

 

Thanks for the reply. It was given to us like that and was in a smallish pot.I was hoping planting it the garden might bring it back to health.

 

The stems look fairly green still - if you scratch the stems and they are green underneath, then it should be salvageable.

You could remove the dead bits and give it a tidy up to try and revive it.

I've had one in a container for the past couple of years and it's very healthy, but anything containerised does need a bit more tlc

 

Thanks for the advice. I shall check the stems and if their alright I will remove the dead bits. The picture I took was taken this morning we have only had the plant a couple of weeks.

 

No probs. Have a look at the pruning advice on the link in my post above (under the 'How to Care' heading

They aren't the most attractive plant, but to me they smell lovely and flower for ages.

 

You may be right Marley - I thought the grey things were seed pods, which my Broom currently has tons of but they do look like dead leaves.

 

I have a true evergreen broom (keeps its leaves in winter, doesn't shed them like some brooms), but sadly it doesn't produce pods.. dont know if that because it's not warm enough for it.. but it flowers well. It's a C. racemosus hybrid.

Usually Cytisus keep their green stems year round even in the deciduous types.

 

Thanks for all the advice everyone.
The main stem is green and so are a lot of the offshoots. I think the grey bits are dead leaves. A lot of the plant looks completely dead and woody. The plant is in part shade and a well drained part of the garden. Should I prune the dead parts off ? Sorry for all the questions I don't have a clue lol.

 

I can't help wondering why a neighbour would give you a dead plant which attracts snails????

 

lol
The plant is not completely dead there is still signs of life.
She was given it by the neighbour on the other side of her house because they were landscaping their garden.My neighbour only had it for a few days she is moving and wondered if we could bring it back to health. Maybe it only attracts snails because it's not healthy I have no idea.

 

Does it have any scent? It looks as though it could be a herb; possibly lavender or sage, scent would help to identify it. I'd try cutting part of it back, if possible to a point where the green is evident, shelter it and try to keep the soil just moist but not too wet & see how it goes.

Can't work out the snails though - they usually like softer plants and aren't keen on woody stems. Wonder if they've been driven there because there's nothing better or it's giving them shelter. Do you have snails on other nearby plants too? I'm intrigued.