Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' Tree

Long racemes of magnificent bright yellow flowers hang from the branches of Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' in May and June. It is commonly called the Golden Chain tree for this magnificent display, which often lasts for two to three weeks. The flowers are highly scented and popular with bees. Foliage is pinnate and light-green, giving a bright backdrop for the luminous flowers.

Voss’s laburnum is the most popular hybrid of the common Laburnum (Laburnum gyroides) and was bred in Holland in the 1880's. This variety will grow to a rounded shape of about 5 x 4 metres in 20 years and is sometimes used to create a laburnum walk (an arch of Laburnums held up on a trellis structure). A very hardy and tough flowering tree, it holds the RHS AGM. It will tolerate cold, inland exposure and chalk when given a sunny position on well drained soil.

Note: All parts of this tree are toxic to humans and animals when ingested.

AKA Voss’s laburnum, Golden chain tree, Golden rain tree

• Common name: Golden Chain tree
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 4 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer
• Foliage: Deciduous light-green, pinnate leaves in spring and summer.
• Soil: Suits most soil types including chalk, but prefers a well-drained site
• Situation: Tolerates partial shade but performs best in full sun

Planting Advice for Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' Trees

Due to the toxicity of Voss’s Laburnum, we recommend avoiding planting it where the pods could fall into a pond and potentially affect wildlife in the water.

Our pot grown Laburnum can be planted at any time of the year. Firstly, remove all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently, avoiding banking any of the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting Golden Chain trees with a staking kit. For single stakes, knock the stake in at an angle and use a buckle tie with a spacer to prevent chaffing. For more advice, visit the help section.

Aftercare Advice for Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' Trees

If you’re planting Golden Chain trees in spring or summer, water well and regularly for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons and if your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard. Our complete planting kits contain an irrigation system, weed suppressing mulch mat and rabbit guard, as well as the rootgrow and staking kits mentioned above.

Note it is quite common for Laburnum trees to flower well one year and then not so well the next, and then back to a good year again.

Pruning Advice for Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii' Trees

Laburnum 'Vossii' trees do not require regular pruning, but if you wish to tidy them up then do so during the dormant season. Focus on removing any damaged, diseased or overcrowded branches.

Despite being low maintenance, Golden Chain trees take pruning well if desired. If you want a clear trunk, remove any side shoots to help raise the crown. They can also be pruned into an arch shape - there's a famous long trellis of arching Laburnums (called a Laburnum Walk) at Hampton Court Palace, with other fine examples at Bodnant Gardens and what was the home of the garden designer Rosemary Verey.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.