Laburnum alpinum Bercht. and Presl.
Fully-hardy spreading tree with almost hairless glossy leaves consisting of 3 elliptic-ovate leaflets, and slender racemes of bright yellow flowers in spring and early summer. To 8m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘The Scotch Laburnum […] differs from the common one in its larger and more glossy leaves, and in flowering two or three weeks later. The clusters of unripe pods are frequently so yellow as at a distance to resemble a second shower of blossom.’ [Grindon].
‘A very beautiful hardy tree, a native of the hill forests of France, Central Europe, reaching a height of nearly 40 ft. The natural form is a very beautiful tree, and from it varieties of the highest value have been raised and increased from time to time, among the best Parkesi, Watereri, autumnalis, biferum, grandiflorum, hirsutum, pendulum, Vossi. The Alpine Laburnum and its best varieties may be known from the other European species by its longer raceme, broader and deeper green leaves, and later bloom.’ [The English Flower Garden and Home Grounds, 10th Edition, p.640/1907]. Introduced to England in 1596. [PD].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.361/1857].
Notes
Cytisus alpinus Lam. (1779) = Laburnum anagyroides Med. which see.
Published Dec 15, 2009 - 03:48 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 12:24 PM
| Family | Fabaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Southern Europe |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Alpine laburnum, Scottish laburnum |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Cytisus alpinus |
| Confidence level | high |