Identify by feature
Tree or shrub with hanging flower clusters: which one is it?
A tree with long, hanging clusters of white flowers is usually a bird cherry in April–May and a false acacia in June; yellow chains belong to laburnum and blue-purple trusses to wisteria.
13 species with this feature
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Bird cherry Prunus padus
Broadleaf tree
Long hanging spikes of white, strongly scented flowers in April–May.
Native
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False acacia Robinia pseudoacacia
Broadleaf tree
Hanging clusters of white, highly fragrant pea flowers in May–June; loved by bees.
Invasive non-native: do not plantPoisonous
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Common laburnum Laburnum anagyroides
Broadleaf tree
Hanging clusters 10–30 cm long of golden-yellow pea flowers, in May–June.
Poisonous
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Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis
Climber
Hanging racemes of 15–30 cm, bluish-purple and fragrant, in May, before or with the leaves.
Poisonous
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Japanese wisteria Wisteria floribunda
Climber
Hanging racemes of 30–50 cm, violet, pink or white and fragrant, May–June, at the same time as the leaves.
Poisonous
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Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus
Broadleaf tree
Yellow-green flowers in hanging clusters, appearing with the leaves.
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Japanese pieris Pieris japonica
Shrub
Hanging sprays of small white or pink bells (like lily of the valley) in March–April; the buds are ready all winter.
Poisonous
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Winter hazel Corylopsis
Shrub
Hanging clusters (2–5 cm) of pale yellow, bell-shaped, softly scented flowers, in March–April before the leaves.
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Barberry Berberis vulgaris
Shrub
Hanging clusters of small, scented yellow flowers in May; the stamens snap inwards when an insect touches them.
Native
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Flowering currant Ribes sanguineum
Shrub
Hanging to spreading clusters of pink, red or white flowers in April, together with the leaves.
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Himalayan honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa
Shrub
Hanging chains (5–10 cm) of small, white, funnel-shaped flowers between conspicuous claret bracts, from July to September.
Tip: False acacia has pinnate leaves with spines at the leaf base and is an invasive alien species; laburnum and wisteria are poisonous. Small hanging clusters of flowers in April are found on redcurrant and blackcurrant.