Description

Leaves: Alternate; compound; trifoliolate (3 leaflets); deciduous; leaflets elliptic, oblong to obovate, 1-1/4" to 3" long, with pointed tips, glabrous, attached to rachis/petiole with no stalk; bright green; unremarkable fall color.

Twigs/buds: Twigs moderately stout; olive-green, even on older stems; few lenticels; glabrous; older growth has short spur-like shoots.  Terminal bud present; small; ovoid; 1/16" to 1/8" long; covered with 2 to 4 silver-haired scales.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect; bright yellow; pea-like; in 6" to 10" long, narrow clusters that hang down; very attractive; blooms in May.  Fruit a 1" to 2" long, hairy pod with 6 to 10 small, poisonous seeds; maturing in October.

Bark: Olive-green even on older stems, eventually becoming fissured.

Wood: No information available.

General: A hybrid of Scotch laburnum (L. alpinum) and common laburnum (L. anagyroides), both of which are native to central, southern, and eastern Europe.  Shade intolerant. Weak wood and/or branch structure.

Landscape Use: A small tree with a rounded canopy that has outstanding flowers.  Plant in groups rather than individually.  Doesn't like excessive heat or cold, but withstands high pH.  Could be fairly short-lived.  All plant parts, and especially seeds, contain a poison, so use with care in public areas or where children play.  Zones 5-7.

Cultivars: 'Alford's Weeping', 'Aureum', 'Pendulum', Vossii'. 

Characteristics