This grouping of the attractive Xanthoceras sorbifolium can be found on the southern edge of the Main Lawn.
Reaching 7m in height, Xanthoceras sorbifolium is an erect shrub or small tree from rocky slopes of northern China, which will flourish in warmer regions of southern England. It produces alternate, pinnate leaves, with sharply toothed leaflets. The erect panicles of flower are produced in spring, with the terminal panicles being generally the largest, and with each individual flower having 5 petals and a coloured staining at the base. As the flower matures this staining changes from a soft yellow to a carmine colour. The name Xanthoceras comes for the Greek xanthos (yellow) and keras (horn) in reference to the yellow hornlike growths beneath the petals, from which this species also takes it’s common name, yellowhorn.