Hi. I am looking for more information about a small tree called "Golden Chain" which grows across Canada (originally from Europe), according to what I have been able to find. It comes in many varieties but Voss's Laburnum (laburnum vossii) sounds lovely. The seeds are poisonous and can harm a child who mistakes them for edible pea pods. Here's a google search of photos:
[url]https://images.google.com/images?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=laburnum[/url]
Any info on this tree (any variety), where to buy it, how to grow it, etc. would be appreciated. We live in Zone 4 (in British Columbia)
Thanks
Kay
Beautiful tree Kay but is it hardy for you?
You say you have seen it in Canada but in your zone? All the info I found said hardy to zone 6 and one said to zone 5a. Anyway It is a stunning tree, not too large and the flowers are very showy. Tough as old boots too as long as yu give it plenty of sun. Can be a bit messy when it finishes flowering. To extend the season of interest you can always grow a clematis through it that flowers mid to late summer.
Looks fantastic grown as a tunnel doesn't it? Quite breathtaking. I know it is poisonous but I have yet to see a kid try and eat a seed pod. I don't remember my kids ever trying to eat anything out of my garden unless I said they could. I work in two gardens with these trees in and I have not managed to poison myself either so I think common sense is all you need.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/449.shtml
This should give you a little more info on it but as for where you can purchase one you will have to ask someone a little nearer than me!
You say you have seen it in Canada but in your zone? All the info I found said hardy to zone 6 and one said to zone 5a. Anyway It is a stunning tree, not too large and the flowers are very showy. Tough as old boots too as long as yu give it plenty of sun. Can be a bit messy when it finishes flowering. To extend the season of interest you can always grow a clematis through it that flowers mid to late summer.
Looks fantastic grown as a tunnel doesn't it? Quite breathtaking. I know it is poisonous but I have yet to see a kid try and eat a seed pod. I don't remember my kids ever trying to eat anything out of my garden unless I said they could. I work in two gardens with these trees in and I have not managed to poison myself either so I think common sense is all you need.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/449.shtml
This should give you a little more info on it but as for where you can purchase one you will have to ask someone a little nearer than me!
Thanks for your response. Apparently the tree grows wild along the highways on southern Vancouver Island. Of course, that's likely Zone 6 or higher. But I've also read several web sites that say it grows in Quebec, for example, which is colder than where I am. So, it may be possible. One person said she was having trouble because her tree didn't flower. Someone responded that hers did in just as cold a spot (Zone 4, I believe).
I am hoping that someone in Canada or the northern US will see my post and tell me how he or she manages to grow this tree. Except for a very few parts of Canada, Zone 4 is about as good as it gets.
Perhaps, as it is a small tree, I could plant it in a container and bring it inside in winter.
As for the children eating the pods, modern children are a different breed, aren't they? When I was a kid (in northern Saskatchewan) the adults all said caraganna pods were poisonous and the kids all ate them, including me. I remember them quite fondly! We thought we were being very brave.
I am hoping that someone in Canada or the northern US will see my post and tell me how he or she manages to grow this tree. Except for a very few parts of Canada, Zone 4 is about as good as it gets.
Perhaps, as it is a small tree, I could plant it in a container and bring it inside in winter.
As for the children eating the pods, modern children are a different breed, aren't they? When I was a kid (in northern Saskatchewan) the adults all said caraganna pods were poisonous and the kids all ate them, including me. I remember them quite fondly! We thought we were being very brave.
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MaineDesigner
- Green Thumb
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:17 am
- Location: Midcoast Maine, Zone 5b
Laburnum x watereri is occasionally planted here in Zone 5b but it is somewhat marginally hardy. I'm very skeptical about the chances of survival in a Zone 4 climate short of an absolutely ideal alignment of genetics/provenance and siting. The specimens I'm aware of here are mostly in the ten to fifteen foot range which is a bit big for hauling indoors in the winter.