About
Crotalaria laburnifolia is an upright, bushy evergreen shrub, typically growing up to 2 meters tall. Its leaves are arranged in sets of three and bear a resemblance to those of Laburnum. In spring, it produces racemes of yellow flowers, each about 4 centimeters long, featuring reddish-brown markings on their exterior. This plant serves not only as an ornamental addition to gardens but is also valued for its medicinal applications and as a green manure crop.
About the genus
Crotalaria comprises annuals, perennials, or evergreen shrubs characterized by simple or palmate foliage. The plants produce racemes or flowers resembling those of peas, which are succeeded by noticeable, inflated seed pods.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Tropical & S Africa, Tropical Asia to N Australia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows well in any well-drained soil and although it prefers moisture, it can also tolerate dry conditions. A sunny postion is best. Light pruning will enhance flowering.
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free.
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free