Laburnum alpinum Seeds | Scottish Laburnum
LATIN NAME: Laburnum alpinum
COMMON NAME: Scottish Laburnum
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Scottish Laburnum (Laburnum alpinum) stands out as a small tree in the pea family, native to central and southern Europe. Laburnum is a small tree that puts on a magnificent show in late spring. Fine, open, upright tree carries dark-green, clover-like leaves, and long, hanging chains of golden-yellow, pea-like flowers open through late spring, giving one of great flower shows of the season. Slender, hanging pods follow, holding small, dark, round seeds. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Laburnum alpinum ranges from the botany of the pea family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Research record on laburnum runs deep, and tree has been studied for golden-yellow, pea-like flowers and well-known character of its seeds. Raising it from seed today is a matter of ordinary good practice rather than specialist skill.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Scottish Laburnum for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Laburnum does a lot of work in sunny garden. Dark-green, clover-like leaves keep tree handsome through the whole season. Seeds and pods carry well-known poisonous character of plant, so tree is best admired and seed heads kept out of reach of children and the pets. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Golden chain tree is a cascading yellow beauty and a toxic one, with cytisine in every part; admire the flowers and keep children away from the pods.
Growing from Seed
Starting Scottish Laburnum from seed is simple and satisfying. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. The seed responds well to a cool, moist stratification period, which helps it break dormancy evenly. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
It comes from central and southern europe, which is the best clue to the conditions it enjoys in cultivation. Among the Laburnum group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. Sun, free drainage and a patient first year are all it really requires.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Scottish Laburnum often pair it with these related subjects: