Common laburnum

How to grow Common laburnum

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant in autumn or spring in full sun on free-draining soil. It is short-lived by tree standards, often declining after thirty or forty years, so treat it as a medium-term rather than permanent planting.

Pruning

Prune in late summer or early autumn, never in spring, as laburnum bleeds. Keep cuts small and few; it does not respond well to hard pruning. For a laburnum arch, tie in and train the long flexible shoots along the framework and shorten side growths after flowering.

Propagation

Seed germinates readily after soaking, but seedlings are variable and slow to flower. Most garden plants are grafted cultivars.

Pests and diseases

Leaf miner produces pale winding tracks in the foliage. Older trees are prone to heart rot and can shed limbs unexpectedly.

Value to wildlife

Bees work the pea-like flowers, though the tree has limited value to UK wildlife overall.

Notes

Laburnum is well known to be poisonous in all its parts, particularly the seed pods. Check its toxicity and consider carefully before planting where children or pets have unsupervised access, especially since the pods are conspicuous and fall within easy reach. The flowering season is brief and the tree is dull for the rest of the year.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Laburnum anagyroidis but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Laburnum