Scientific Name
Laburnum anagyroides Medik.
Common Name(s)
Common Laburnum, Golden Chain, Golden Rain, Golden Chain Tree, Laburnum, Peatree
Synonym(s)
Cytisus alschingeri, Cytisus laburnum, Laburnum vulgare
Scientific Classification
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Genisteae
Genus: Laburnum
Flower
Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Late spring
Description
Laburnum anagyroides is a small deciduous tree or large shrub that grows up to 30 feet (9 m) tall. Branches are spreading, dark green with smooth bark. Leaves are trifoliate, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long, and comprised of alternate leaflets, each up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
The flowers are golden yellow, sweet-scented, densely packed in pendulous, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long racemes, and typically bloom in late spring.
How to Grow and Care
Choose a growing site that is exposed to full sunlight. The more sunlight, the better the Laburnum will bloom. An exception to this rule is home gardeners who live in USDA zone 8. Laburnums do not tolerate heat well, so gardeners who live in hotter climates should choose a location that gets morning sun but is shaded from direct exposure to hot afternoon sunlight.
Plant your Laburnum in rich, well-drained soil. These trees are small, average about 20 feet (50 cm) in height, so they can also be grown in containers. If you use a container, make sure it has drainage holes.
Water frequently. These trees thrive in cool, moist soils and grow best in climates with mild, wet summers. Water at least once weekly — more often when the weather is hotter than usual.
Fertilize in early spring, before bud break. Use a fertilizer formulated for flowering trees and shrubs and one that has a high acid content. Laburnum thrives in high-pH soils. Follow the directions on the package according to the size and age of your Laburnum.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Laburnum.
Origin
Laburnum anagyroides is native to Central and Southern Europe.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Laburnum
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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