Laburnum

A laburnum tree in flower is a beautiful sight – the burst of dripping, golden yellow flowers in May is truly glorious. Laburnum is also known as the bean tree, bean trefoil or golden rain tree, thanks to its hanging, pea-like blooms. The foliage is attractive, too – fine and divided into oval leaflets.

Laburnums can be grown as small, free-standing trees and can also be trained over a pergola, arch or walkway, which show off the pendulous pea-like flower clusters. The most famous example is at Bodnant Garden in Wales. They look spectacular underplanted with purple alliums.

Traditionally laburnums were planted in larger gardens, but there are newer varieties that will suit smaller gardens and containers. Laburnums are deciduous, which means they lose their leaves in autumn, with fresh foliage appearing the following spring. They are fast growers, putting on around 40cm of growth a year.

All parts of the tree, especially the seeds, are toxic to humans and animals if ingested – keep children and pets away from them. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.

How to grow laburnums

Laburnums are easy to grow, provided they are given a sunny spot and moist, well-drained soil. They are low maintenance trees that only need pruning if they are out of shape, and do not need watering or feeding.

In its natural habitat of southern and central Europe, laburnum grows on scrubland and hillsides, so it needs well-drained soil and full sun in the garden. It will grow in partial shade, but it will not produce as many flowers. Waterlogged soils may kill the plant.

As with most trees, plant Laburnum in autumn or winter. Dig a large hole that's wider than the root ball and around the same depth. Add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to the planting hole. Backfill with garden soil, firm in well and water in. You could then mulch with more manure or garden compost. Stake firmly.

Pruning
Free standing laburnums don’t need much pruning, other than standard maintenance for size, shape and health – remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches and trim to an attractive shape. However if you’re training your laburnum over an arch or pergola, you will need to trim and tie in the stems. Prune between late summer and Christmas – if pruned in spring or early summer the tree is likely to bleed sap.

Watering and feeding
There's no need to water a laburnum once it's established, and it does not need feeding.

Availability

We have a good stock of young saplings now losing their leaves but new buds are appearing for quick growth from the Spring.