Laburnum anagyroides Sunspire

Laburnum anagyroides 'Sunspire' is a variety of clustered cytisus that is interesting for its narrow and compact, fastigiate habit, well suited to small gardens. This deciduous bush is adorned with elegant clover-like foliage and is covered in late spring with short clusters of golden flowers that attract bees with their fragrance. It is easily grown in the sun, in any well-drained soil.

Laburnum anagyroides 'Sunspire' is a recent horticultural selection, often classified in the subspecies alschingeri, naturalised in Tyrol, northern Italy, and Croatia. It belongs to the fabaceae family, formerly known as legumes, just like wisteria.

Laburnum anagyroides 'Sunspire' has a slow growth, with an upright, spreading, narrow habit. At the age of 15, it usually measures 3m in height, with the top of its crown measuring 1.50m wide. Between May and late June, depending on the climate, it produces short clusters of fragrant, nectar-rich golden yellow flowers. These clusters are more compact than those of classic varieties, but they are produced in large numbers. They are followed by pods covered in brown hairs containing black seeds. The deciduous, bright green foliage, with a hairy underside, has compound leaves divided into 3 ovate, 3 to 7cm long leaflets. Its smooth bark is green when young and cracks and turns grey with age.

Hardy to -29°C, Laburnum anagyroides 'Sunspire' grows in any well-drained soil, even poor and slightly chalky. However, it does not tolerate winter waterlogging and is sensitive to prolonged drought. Provide it with a sunny location for good flowering. Place it as a solitary specimen or plant two subjects on either side of the terrace. It can also be integrated into a flowering hedge with mock oranges, hybrid deutzia 'Mont Rose', or small lilacs like 'Palibin' or 'Josée'.

Caution: all parts are toxic if ingested, especially the seeds.