It is one of those trees from which it seems that it rains gold every spring. Its lovely little hanging yellow flowers cover the whole plantmaking it look spectacular. Also, it looks great as an isolated specimen, but could also be used in lineups or in groups.
Know the care of the Gold rainan ideal species to color your garden.
Origin and characteristics of the golden shower
Before we begin, it is important to say that there are two very popular plants known as golden shower. They are very similar, but they come from different places and their cultivation is not the same either. Therefore, I am going to tell you about both:
Laburnum anagyroides (golden shower for temperate climates)
The shaft Laburnum anagyroides, it is a deciduous plant that grows to a height of seven meters. It has a trunk that usually grows straight or slightly sloping, from which branches sprout forming a rather branched crown. Its leaves are light green and trifoliate.
As we said, in spring flowers appear grouped in hanging clusters that can measure from 10 to 20 centimeters, and are of a magnificent yellow color. The fruit is a legume, so it belongs to the botanical family Fabaceae (legumes). It contains blackish and very hard seeds, and they are toxic.
Cassia fistula (golden shower for frost-free climates)
Image – Flickr / 玥 Sight
The Cassia fistula is a deciduous tree native to Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia that reaches a height of 6 to 20 meters. Its crown is highly branched, and is made up of large, alternate and deciduous leaves. The flowers are grouped in hanging clusters between 30 and 80 centimeters long, and it also produces legumes that contain dark-colored seeds.
It is popularly known as cane fistula or golden shower, but unlike the Laburnum anagyroidesit is not toxic at all. In fact, it is used as a laxative, astringent and as a remedy for minor bumps.
What are the care that must be provided to them?
The golden shower, both in temperate climates and in warm climates, are plants that take good care of themselves and are easy if the climate is right for them. That is, the Laburnum anagyroides it will look beautiful in temperate regions, where there are frosts; on the contrary, the Cassia fistula it will grow wonderfully whether the temperatures are mild or warm year round.
Let us know what are the basic care that must be given to them:
Location
Both trees they have to be placed outside. It is highly recommended that they get in the sun, at least a few hours a day, but they do reasonably well in places with partial shade.
If we talk about their roots, they do not develop much compared to other plants, but they should be planted at a distance of at least 5 meters from pipes and floors that have been paved.
Irrigation
These trees require water frequentlyTherefore, they must be watered as soon as the earth begins to dry out. This will happen more often in summer than in winter, and even more if the weather is dry and warm, so you have to be vigilant.
If you doubt when to water, insert a thin wooden stick: if when you remove it, it comes out with little or no soil attached to it, then you will have to take the watering can and moisten it.
Earth
Flowers of Cassia fistula.
- the garden: both grow in fertile soils, and with a good water drainage capacity.
- Flower pot: this is a container that must have holes in its base. As a substrate you can use mulch, universal substrate, or similar, like the one they sell here!.
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Apart from water, it is advisable to fertilize your golden shower during its growing season, that is, in spring and summer. There are many types of fertilizers on the market, but they can be classified into two large groups: chemicals, such as this, and the organic ones. Both can be very useful if used well, but we recommend using the latter as this helps to take care of the fauna (and flora) in your garden.
Of course, if you use chemicals, or organic ones that are highly concentrated (algae extract or guano, for example), follow the instructions that you will find on the package.
Multiplication
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Image – Wikimedia / Ercé // Fruits of Laburnum anagyroides.
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Image – Wikimedia / Asit K. Ghosh Thaumaturgist // Fruits of Cassia fistula.
Both Laburnum and Cassia multiply by seed in fall or spring. For that, you just have to introduce the seeds for 1 second in boiling water and 24 hours in water at room temperature (help yourself with a strainer). After this time, put a maximum of two in each seedbed, water abundantly, and in a matter of a few days you will have your own Golden Rain seedlings.
Here we explain how the laburnum are sown:
Plagues and diseases
They do not usually have, except for oidium if their leaves are sprayed / sprayed, or some mealybug in summer.
Rusticity
It depends on the species:
- Laburnum anagyroides: you will be able to contemplate it in all its splendor if the temperatures in your area are not extreme, except in winter since it can withstand up to -18ºC. You do not like intense heat (30ºC or more), and this is something that can cause you some other problem in, for example, the gardens located a few kilometers from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Cassia fistula: it is a perfect plant for tropical gardens, where temperatures remain stable, or without too many variations, throughout the year. Even so, it is important to say that it supports the cold, and even the occasional short-term frost of up to -1ºC.
What uses are they given?
Golden shower, both Laburnum and Cassia species, are very pretty plants that are grown in gardens. What’s more, you can choose to have them in a pot and go pruning to control their growth. And since they have small leaves, they are also suitable species for bonsai.
But yes, let me remind you that the Laburnum anagyroides It has toxic fruits, so if you have small children or pets, it is not advisable to plant it in the garden.
With regard to the Cassia fistulait is an interesting plant with medicinal properties.
What do you think?
