About

A deciduous, spreading tree to 8m in height, with grey-green new shoots and three dark green oval-shaped leaflets making up a leaf. The dense, hanging bunches of golden yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.

About the genus

Laburnum are small deciduous trees with leaves composed of three leaflets, and bright yellow pea-shaped flowers in pendent racemes

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched, Bushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toC & S Europe
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pest: Harmful if eaten (dogs, rabbits, rodents). For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

CultivationGood as specimen tree for a sunny position with a well-drained soil
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by grafting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, leaf-mining moths, leaf-mining flies and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, silver leaf and honey fungus