Golden-Chain Tree, Laburnum, is a small deciduous tree. Laburnum is native to Europe and Asia and belongs to the Pea Family.
Golden-chain trees are among the most beautiful of flowering trees with three-part leaves and long drooping clusters of yellow pea-shaped flowers. The flowers are reminiscent of wisteria
Laburnum thrives in any well-drained soil and can stand up to city conditions with few problems. They are upright growers. They are usually pruned into single trunk trees but can be grown shrub-like regularly spaced in a border.
Golden-chain trees are propagated by seeds and layering.
All plant parts, especially the seeds are poisonous if eaten.
Get to Know Golden-Chain Tree
- Plant type: Deciduous tree
- Growing Zones and range: 5-9
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Height and spread: Grows to 30 feet (9m) tall and 18 feet wide
- Foliage: Trifoliate leaves
- Flowers: Golden yellow flowers borne in long, pendulous clusters; followed by 2 to 3-inch pods
- Bloom time: Late spring
- Uses: Shrub borders, specimen when placed in front of evergreens
- Common name: Golden-Chain Tree
- Botanical name: Laburnum x watereri
- Family: Leguminosae
- Origin: Europe
Where to Plant Golden-Chain Tree
- Plant golden-chain tree in full sun.
- Plant golden-chain tree in average soil that is well-drained.
When to Plant Golden-Chain Tree
- Set container-grown golden chain tree in the garden in spring.
Planting and Spacing Golden-Chain Tree
- Golden-chain tree is most easily grown from a grafted plant purchased from a grower or nursery.
- Space golden-chain trees 20 feet (6.1m) apart; trees grow 20 to 30 feet tall and just as wide.
How to Water and Feed Golden-Chain Tree
- Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Fertilize golden-chain tree by spreading aged compost to the dripline at least once a year.
Golden-Chain Tree Care
- Prune golden-chain tree after flowering as needed.
- Flexible branches are easy to espalier.
Golden-Chain Tree Common Problems
- Golden-chain tree has no serious pests or diseases.
- Golden-chain tree tends to be short-lived.
Golden-Chain Tree Propagation
- Sow seed in fall.
- Graft in spring.
Golden-Chain Tree Varieties to Grow
- Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossi’ has a dense habit and very long flower clusters.
- Laburnum anagyroides is a wide-spreading tree to 20 feet tall; ‘Aureum’ has golden yellow leaves; ‘Involutum’ has curled leaves; ‘Pendulum’ has a weeping form; ‘Quercifolium’ has lobed leaves.
