Laburnum x watereri Vossii

Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' also known as golden rain laburnum, is a very hardy deciduous bush, with remarkable, very long clusters of bright, fragrant yellow flowers. They bloom in late spring and early summer. This variety with dark foliage is perfectly adapted to poor free draining soils, even chalky and dry soils. This tall shrub, one of the prettiest in spring, prefers sunny exposures.

The 'Vossii' Laburnum, resulting from a hybridization between Laburnum anagyroides and Laburnum alpinus, belongs to the Fabaceae family, like wisteria or alfalfa. It has an erect and spreading habit, developing a trunk that branches from the base with spread out lateral branches.  At maturity, it can reach up to 6 m high and with a span of 2 m. In spring, it has beautiful inflorescences in clusters, slender and long, that can measure more than 50 cm in length. Its honey-bearing, leguminous flowers, are tinged with lemon yellow, measuring approximately 14 to 17 mm (0.6 to 0.7 in) in diameter. Its dark green deciduous foliage is downy on the underside, and composed of three ovate leaflets.  These leaves take on a very beautiful golden yellow autumn colour. Its bark is smooth, greenish-brown and the young shoots are green and covered with small hairs. This shrub does not produce fruits.

The 'Vossii' Laburnum looks its best when grown as a multi-stemmed shrub rather than a single stem tree. It is a very hardy bush and tolerates temperatures as low as -20°C (-4 °F).  It is very resistant to pollution. To create a magical effect, plant several plants, spaced 3m (9 ft 10 in) apart on either side of a driveway: the branches will join to form an arch from which its flowering clusters will cascade down. At the foot of these shrubs plant ornamental garlic. Pass underneath and let yourself be carried away by their sweetly scented flowers. You can also add it to a rustic hedge, accompanied by other bushes such as lilac, wisteria kept as a tree, mock oranges, hazelnuts, Japanese quinces, or Japanese kerrias.

Caution all parts are toxic especially the seeds. The laburnum has a strongly coloured, shiny, hard, heavy wood that polishes very well, and is sought after by turners and cabinetmakers.