Piptanthus nepalensis

Piptanthus nepalensis (formerly P. laburnifolius) makes a large shrub, and although it is traditionally regarded as slightly tender ours are grown from seed from a garden in Yorkshire so it certainly justifies the classification of Z8. It is semi-evergreen, with large yellow laburnum like flowers in spring and large trifoliate leaves. Can be grown as a single stem or multi-stemmed – which our current batch will have to be as they have been pruned. Being leguminous it needs good drainage and is best with some shelter from wind.