Also known as the bean tree, bean trefoil or golden rain tree, thanks to its hanging, pea-like blooms and attractive foliage divided into fine oval leaflets. These trees are at their best in May, when they’re a beautiful sight, dripping golden yellow flowers. The most famous example is at Bodnant Garden in Wales.
In its natural habitat of southern and central Europe, laburnum grows on scrubland and hillsides. They are a magnet for bees and are a stunning addition to your garden.
Laburnums are easy to grow, provided they are given a sunny spot and moist, well-drained soil. They 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. Traditionally laburnums were planted in larger gardens, but there are newer varieties that will suit smaller gardens and containers. They 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.
So why are they plant of the month for October rather than May? Well, although they are low maintenance trees that do not need watering or feeding, from the end of the summer up until Christmas is the time of year to prune them.
Pruning earlier in the year should be avoided because they are prone to bleeding. Specimen trees should only be pruned to improve the shape of the canopy and to remove damaged stems, while trained forms will need regular pruning to maintain the shape of the plant so that the flower trusses can be clearly seen.
Remove any shoots that appear from below the graft union on grafted trees. Laburnums are prone to cavities after severe pruning if the collar at the base of the branch is damaged or stumps are left behind, so it’s worth raising the canopy when the tree is still young and keeping the stem clear as it grows.
This is also the best time of year to plant them. So which laburnum would be best for your garden? Here are some Gardner’s World recommendations:
Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’ – the best known variety, a cross between the two species laburnums, Laburnum anagyroides and Laburnum alpinium. It’s a fast-growing tree with dark green leaves, and very long, scented flower racemes. It will flower even when young. It has been given the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).Height x Spread: 8m x 8m
Laburnum anagyroides ‘Yellow Rocket’ – a new introduction with a narrow, upright habit which makes it ideal for smaller gardens. H x S: 2m x 4m
Laburnum x watereri 'Sunspire' – a new variety, with medium height and a narrow habit, that would suit smaller gardens.H x S: 4m x 2m
Laburnum alpinum ‘Pendulum’ – this is a weeping Scotch laburnum. A smaller tree, it looks great as a stand-alone feature tree, and is a good choice for smaller gardens and containers. H x S: 2m x 2m
Commenti