Laburnum anagyroides aka Common Laburnum

Taxonomy

Laburnum anagyroides, also known as Golden Chain or Golden Rain, is a spreading, deciduous tree native to Central and Southern Europe. It grows and flowers best in damp and mild habitats with calcareous soils. The plant has hairy, grey-green juvenile shoots and dark green leaves divided into three elliptic, dark green leaflets. In late spring and early summer, it produces dense racemes of bright yellow, pea-like flowers. Laburnum anagyroides can grow up to 30 ft tall and is commonly found in the UK, especially the hybrid Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii'. However, it should be noted that the tree's seeds are legumes that contain cytisine, an alkaloid that is highly poisonous to humans, goats, and horses. Despite this, Laburnum anagyroides is an easy and trouble-free tree to grow, making it a popular choice for many gardeners.

Common names

Common Laburnum, Golden Rain Tree, Golden Chain

How to care for Common Laburnum

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Common Laburnum, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Common Laburnum should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Common Laburnum prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Common Laburnum plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

The Common Laburnum is known for its slow growth and doesn't require fertilizing beyond its potting soil. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should offer it sufficient nutrition. It's essential to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not from fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Common Laburnum’s native range is C. and S. Europe.

More info:
Wikipedia